The success of Intel Core 2 Duo and Xeon processors based on the latest micro-architecture from the world’s largest maker of x86 chips allowed the company to rapidly boost its market share in the first quarter at the expense of its smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices. But the No. 2 chipmaker says that this year it would fight the lost share back.

“Sometime in 2007 you’ll see us resume a more robust market share. You’ll see us rebound for sure,” said Henri Richard, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at AMD, in an interview with Reuters news agency at Computex Taipei 2007.

Intel controlled 80.2% of the global microprocessor market in the Q1 2007, up 4.5% from 75.7% in the Q4 2006, according to research firm iSuppli Corp.

It is crucial for AMD to sustain its market share and release competitive products not only because the company need to post higher revenues and earnings, but also because infrastructure for its chips (mainboards, cooling systems, etc) should be broadly available on the market, as this also improves competitiveness of AMD’s products. Earlier this year AMD’s chief executive said that his company’s goal was to capture 30% of the microprocessor market.

“The environment is very competitive, very competitive. We need to break the monopoly, and for that we’ve got to get above 30% [market share],” Mr. Ruiz said.