A day later than it was expected, AMD formally unveiled its 2.0GHz AMD64 server and workstation microprocessors. The company and its partners today start to supply its clients the Opteron 146 and Opteron 846 CPUs and systems.

The AMD Opteron processor Model 846 for 4- to 8-way-capable servers gives the compute- and memory-intensive applications used for large databases, business processing and decision support the power, performance and reliability sought by IT managers, AMD said in the statement.

AMD also added in the press-release that the Opteron 146 processor clocked at 2.0GHz is designed to power entry-level servers, such as those used by small businesses and Internet and application service providers. It makes me suggest that AMD positions Opteron series for servers only, while the Athlon 64 FX processors will be intended strictly for workstation applications. As a result, the Opteron series-100 is very likely to live on even after the Athlon 64 FX release later this month.

AMD Opteron processors feature 1MB of L2 cache, 128KB of L1 cache as well as Hyper-Transport links for connecting to another CPUs (with the exception of Opteron 100-series) as well as to Hyper-Transport tunnels. All Opteron processors integrate dual-channel PC2700 memory controller that can address up to 1TB of memory.

The AMD Opteron processor Model 846 and servers based on the Model 846 are available immediately via the Validated Server Program from system builders in North America. The AMD Opteron processor Model 146 is available immediately, worldwide. Systems based on the Model 146 are expected from system builders worldwide.

The AMD Opteron processor Model 846 is priced at $3199 in 1000-unit quantities. The AMD Opteron processor Model 146 is priced at $669 in 1000-unit quantities.