X-bit labs

AMD’s Chips Make it to Media Center PCs.

Category: Other

by Anton Shilov

[ 10/13/2004 | 11:54 PM ]

Advanced Micro Devices, the world’s second largest maker of microprocessors for personal computers, announced its Athlon 64 chip had been adopted by HP for a personal computer fuelled by Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. The achievement marks another breakthrough for AMD, whose chips had never before been adopted by Media Center computers.

“AMD64 technology enables extraordinary multimedia performance that brings the same blazing speed of 64-bit computing used by the top movie, music and gaming industry artists and producers to consumers in the home,” said said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager, Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group, AMD.

HP’s Media Center PC m1160n Photosmart PC is based on the AMD Athlon 64 3400+ microprocessor, features up to 2GB of memory, up to 400GB HDD, graphics card, audio card, TV-tuner add-in card and a number of other advantages.

“The HP Media Center PC m1160n, powered by the AMD Athlon 64 processor, offers cutting-edge digital entertainment and powerful tools to create and enjoy digital media in the comfort of the home – from music to home movies to photo slide shows – with a few clicks on the remote control,” said Sam Szteinbaum, vice president, Consumer Computing – North America, HP.

Media Center personal computer is a type of desktop or laptop PC that runs a special version of Microsoft Windows operating system and is typically used to play video, television, music and store media collections. Nowadays the vast majority of Media Center PCs are based on Intel’s microprocessors. But earlier this year AMD’s John Crank said he anticipated that AMD Athlon 64 processor would be a great platform for Media Center PCs from companies like HP and Gateway because of 64-bit capability, excellent performance in widely-spread 32-bit applications as well as Cool’n’Quiet technology that makes PCs to operate quieter.

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 does not support 64-bit capability, but takes advantage of additional security provided by AMD64 chips, such as Enhanced Virus Protection technology.

The HP Media Center PC m1160n Photosmart PC with the AMD Athlon 64 processor 3400+ has an estimated U.S. street price of $999 after rebate and is expected to be featured on hpshopping.com and in Circuit City, CompUSA, MicroCenter and Office Depot starting October 17, 2004.