Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is getting ready to launch Barcelona, its first quad-core server chip. A successful Barcelona launch, expected to happen during the third quarter, is critical for AMD, which has seen its share of the server market battered in recent quarters by Intel. Those market-share losses came with a heavy price, dragging AMD"s finances into the red. In April, the company announced a $611 million loss, largely attributed to tougher competition and a price war with Intel.
To stem these losses, AMD has cut discretionary spending but executives are counting on Barcelona to restore its financial health and turn the tables on its archrival. Kevin Knox, the vice president of AMD"s commercial business, recently sat down with IDG News Service to discuss preparations for Barcelona"s upcoming launch. What follows is an edited transcript of that conversation.