Advanced Micro Devices is expected to release its first value 64-bit microprocessors as early as late next month, some reports claim. In case the information is correct, purchasers of entry-level computers will be able to get systems featuring either AMD’s or Intel Corp.’s processors with 64-bit support this Summer.

According to reports from AMDboard.com and The Inquirer web-site, AMD will release its AMD Sempron processors with E6 core-stepping and model numbers 2600+, 2800+, 3000+, 3100+ and 3300+ that support AMD64 technology. The chips will be compatible with current mainboards featuring Socket 754, but will possibly require BIOS update so to recognize 64-bit capability of the microprocessors. The chips are expected to enter the market on the 30^th July, 2005.

AMD Sempron processors in PGA754 form-factor integrate single-channel PC3200 memory controller, which provides up to 3.20GB/s memory bandwidth. The chips that are expected to feature AMD64 capability operate at 1600MHz – 2000MHz, offering relatively high performance for today’s mainstream market.

AMD’s latest AMD Sempron processors for Socket 754 provide SSE3 support and are produced using 90nm silicon-on-insulator process technology.

Intel Corp. has already announced intention to enable 64-bit capability on its value Intel Celeron processors later this year, the world’s largest chipmaker did not provide any guidance in regards any actual specifications of the products as well as release timeframes, despite of the fact that the chipmaker indicated revenue shipments of Intel Celeron with EM64T support product.

Intel Celeron processors with EM64T will have the model-number designations 326, 331, 336, 341, 346, 351, and 355, according to information released earlier this year. The clock speeds of those chips are 2.53GHz, 2.66GHz, 2.80GHz, 2.93GHz, 3.06GHz, 3.20Hz, and 3.33GHz, respectively. The new central processing units will be designed for Socket 775 infrastructure and are likely to work using 533MHz processor system bus as well as integrate 256KB of L2 cache.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.