While AMD experienced healthy market share gains in the last quarter of 2005, many dealers are becoming aggravated over the recent chip shortages the world"s second largest microprocessor maker has experienced. According to Ingram Micro, AMD"s largest distributor, supplies will begin to rebound this March.
AMD first makes its processors available to large OEM clients, then to other large-quantity purchasers, and finally to smaller system makers and parts retailers. The shortages have caused prices on processors such as the Venice core Athlon 64 series to rise in recent months.
Speculation over the shortage varies greatly, with some believing that Dell, the world"s largest PC maker, is stockpiling AMD processors for new product lines in the coming months.