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AMD Chips in Dell Servers by Year's End

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

May 18, 2006, 5:10 PM

Intel's hold on Dell is about to come to an end. The Round Rock, Texas based company announced its plans to offer AMD chips in high-end servers by the end of the year. The news came inside the computer maker's fiscal first quarter earnings, which ended May 5. Although the company did not specify a reason to adopt AMD processors, Dell may be looking for a way to cut costs in order to boost profit margins.

Dell posted an 18 percent drop in profits, amounting to a $762 million gain in the quarter. This compares with a profit of $934 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenue growth also seemed sluggish; the company reported $14.22 billion in revenues, up 6.2 over a year ago. Dell did not say if the move to AMD in its server line would eventually trickle down into its consumer products. Those PCs are currently exclusively built on the Intel platform.

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By M.Sweazey

edited Jul 13, 2006 - 10:40 AM

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 22, 2006 - 8:51 AM

Duh?

Two different product lines. Two entirely different peices of equipment.

...or do you think a Mustang is exactly the same as a Contour? (hint: They're both Fords)

Score: 0

By M.Sweazey

edited Jul 13, 2006 - 10:39 AM

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 22, 2006 - 11:31 AM

Who cares how they evolve?

Right now, it's still very justifiable to compare / contrast Alienware vs. Dell, since they are still two very different beasts.

AFAIK, they are still seperate in just about all areas that would concern any of us here (Service, support, quality, specs).

Yes. Dell owns Alienware. Your point?

Score: 0

By M.Sweazey

edited Jul 13, 2006 - 10:39 AM

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 22, 2006 - 4:36 PM

*sigh*

And yet this thread, just like all the other threads on this site becomes an emotional ‘brand loyalty’ religious rant for those who like Dell versus Alienware, MS vs. Apple, MS versus everyone, everyone versus MS, and let’s not for the ‘me too’ Linux folks still scavenging for applications and a Windows-like interface, AMD vs. Intel, etc.

Sorry. Must have missed the part where I even *once* claimed to like one over the other.

Eh?

Or is that *you* turning the thread into such a beast? (Oh wait... you *started* this thread with *just* such a comment!!!)

All I did was defend the logic behind Dell vs. Alienware comparisons, which you apparently have a problem with simply becuase, although they are two entirely different entities, comprised of different support levels and machine specs, they are owned by the same company...

I'd say you're the one blowing this way the hell out of propotion, but, hey...

You're the one who started it.

*shrugs*

Score: 0

By M.Sweazey

edited Jul 13, 2006 - 10:39 AM

Score: 0

By tscar12

edited May 21, 2006 - 1:43 PM

I have a dell and since Micheal Dell has developed such a hardon for India, the customer service sucks. Their individual departments can't even communicate simple english words to one another

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 22, 2006 - 8:52 AM

Meh...

never had that problem. Online support has always worked great for me. Especially with the GX270's capacitor issue. With one email, I can get them out here next-day.

Score: 0

By TheRecklessWanderer

posted May 19, 2006 - 11:37 AM

Why would anyone buy a Dell anyway?

It must be the great customer service.

Score: 0

By rijp

posted May 19, 2006 - 12:40 PM

Dude, Dell makes the best hardware anywhere. What machines do you use? HP?

You have your opinion, but DELL is the LARGEST retailer of computers in the world. I think you are just jealous..

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted May 19, 2006 - 2:30 PM

I disagree on the "Dell makes the best hardware anywhere" Because Alienware and Falcon NW etc blow them away. But for a low cost consumer machine I would have to choose Acer, Better Customer Service and better quality machines for the same price.

But you are right, Dell is the LARGEST, and when them finally starting to pull in AMD Chips is gonna make them even bigger.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted May 19, 2006 - 4:59 PM

You are not even compare the same thing. You can compare Alienware's 4k PC with Dell's PC. You have to compare the same line. If you use that compare the same line, Dell does make the best price in term of price and performance.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 19, 2006 - 3:12 PM

Alienware? Who's that? Seriously, Dell makes some of the best hardware of them all. Do they have a few lemons? Yes. Do they sometimes ship truckloads of defective parts to the same factory in one specific day, thereby making the few unfortunate businesses that order the specific bad configurations in large quantity desire to kill Dell? Yes. But so do all the other companies.

Why do you here about more Dell problems in small businesses than any other brand? BECAUSE SMALL BUSINESSES USE DELL. If HP was the dominant vendor, believe you me--we'd have sooo many frikin complaints.

Dell Dimensions? Eh, the "Value" line sucks, just like the HP "Value" line, the IBM "Value" line, etc. Buy the cheapest Falcon there is and see if it lasts. It's like saying all Ford trucks are good and all Dodge trucks are bad--not true. Buy a Ford Ranger and you'll have a less dependable vehicle than the Dodge RAM with the Hemmi. Buy a Dell Dimension desktop for your business and it'll suck more than an an HP-Compaq 7000 series PC. Buy a Dell Optiplex GX620 and it'll beat the pants off of an HP Pavilion.

Dell makes crap. It also makes THE most stable server and business hardware around IMO. When the U.S. military uses Windows-based PCs, they use Dell. That might say something, no?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 20, 2006 - 12:50 PM

Buy a Dell Optiplex GX620 and it'll beat the pants off of an HP Pavilion.

You're comparing business class systems (GX620) with Home systems (Pavillion).

When you want to compare apples to apples, then we'll talk.

Dells business systems are top of the line for reliability, service, and so on, but their home systems/service I would not give to my worst enemy.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 22, 2006 - 8:58 PM

"You're comparing business class systems (GX620) with Home systems (Pavillion)."

That was exactly my point. Dell makes better business systems than the competition IMHO, while most of their Dimension PCs are crappy. I was pointing out that that guy had said dell sux but he obviously has had experiences with the consumer line of PCs and not the business line. Like saying that Sony is a horrible company because their VAIO VGN-150L Notebooks are bad. Now--I do dislike Sony, but only for most of the recent trends they have with PCs, CD players, Rootkits (yuck), PS3 price (mega-yuck), etc. You can't say Dell sux just because the Dimension 1100 (AKA E110/B110) you bought for $299 was crappy.

Score: 0

By rijp

posted May 19, 2006 - 3:10 PM

Well opinions are like a******'s everyone has at least 1!

I happen to believe in Dell, all my customers use Dell, every IT shop I have worked for uses Dell, we switched from Micron/IBM to Dell with my current company, and not n'er a problem.

So I don't know what you are looking at, but in order to be the LARGEST you would have a HUGE customer base of people promoting your product, so evidently YOU are in the minority of people that DON'T like them.

And like I said, Dell bought Alienware, are you going to start disliking them to now?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 20, 2006 - 12:54 PM

Dell Business systems rock. Been using 'em exclusively since '98.

Aside from the uncontrollables (GX270 capacitor issue), they have been nothing but class.

That said... I make it a point to kick every Dimension/XPS system I happen to run across. Their home systems are horrible, and the support for them, which you pay a high margin for, is abysmal.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 22, 2006 - 9:00 PM

Always buy as a "Small Business" and support will match that or come close to the Optiplex support...

...many Dimension PCs still kinda suck though, depending on the model and features.

Score: 0

By techie_G33k

posted May 19, 2006 - 7:11 PM

My companies DataCenter uses Dell servers and Dell servers only because of the warranty and the fact they can provide anything (hardware wise) that we need. Honestly we have almost NO problems at all with Dell servers - the occasional RAM module, Hard Drive, or PSU goes out, but with RAID 5 on all new servers and dual PSU the only thing that gives us fits is the RAM (and it's been well over a year since the last RAM module flaked out). Another company I also work for uses Dell for all it's Desktop and Laptop units and the warranty is also great and quick along with all desktop machines (so far) not having any troubles and only one laptop had to go back for a AC adapter going out on the motherboard (was mailed Friday and returned Tuesday).

So...I am VERY glad to see Dell offer AMD for there servers (though will keep Intel for our servers as our software doesn't run as well on AMD's)and I hope it gets down the consumer PC, because I am up to buy a new one in a year or two and would love AMD in a new Dell!

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted May 19, 2006 - 10:16 AM

Hopefully Dell will offer AMD on their destop line soon.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 19, 2006 - 8:38 AM

Dell should have done this a year earlier IMO...

Score: 0

By rijp

posted May 19, 2006 - 12:41 PM

actually, they tried, AMD couldn't guarantee they could provide enough processors to make it worth Dell's trouble.. evidently now they think they can keep up with production.

Score: 0

By SorenMD

posted May 19, 2006 - 10:16 AM

Yep.

Score: 0

By xprizex

posted May 19, 2006 - 5:32 AM

Personally I think AMD finally has better processors than Intel. So it's about time AMD started to make a dent in the processor market. They already surpassed Intel in the speed, temperature and low power consumption department. If Dell decides to use AMD chips in their desktops and laptops, Intel will be in some serious trouble. Buy hey, as long as these two are duking it out the processors just keep getting better and faster. And thats all that really matters.

Score: 0

By Fickleflame

posted May 19, 2006 - 1:43 AM

Alright, this is getting stupid. I think the market is ready for a new chip manufacturer, a company that picks up where AMD left off several years ago.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 20, 2006 - 12:48 PM

a company that picks up where AMD left off several years ago.

Hot, buggy, and slow?

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted May 19, 2006 - 3:36 AM

Excellent comment!! The Cell or Niagara processors would be ideal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Score: 0

By bigsexy022870

posted May 18, 2006 - 10:27 PM

WOW! This means someday I will be able to get a fast gaming rig with a AMD chip from Dell. Finally the Intel/Dell marriage is over.

Score: 0

By rijp

posted May 19, 2006 - 12:43 PM

Dell bought Alienware, that's not enough?

I personally don't like AMD, I have a few bad experiences with AMD, for one they get REAL hot.. has that been resolved?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 20, 2006 - 12:47 PM

for one they get REAL hot.. has that been resolved?

Like yeah...about the time we broke the 1Ghz barrier, dude.

Score: 0

By Kramy

posted May 19, 2006 - 9:24 PM

My Athlon XP Barton 2800+ can run up to 51C idle (56C load) during the summer.

A friend's Athlon 64 Venice 3200+ runs 32C idle (38C load) - almost 20 degrees cooler.

If you want to keep them cool use Arctic Silver 5, with a Blue Orb of Death. I *really* want a blue orb on my system, but it doesn't support Socket A. :(

http://www.newegg.com/Pr...sp?Item=N82E16835106069

Score: 0

By Kramy

edited May 18, 2006 - 10:44 PM

No no, it's just going through a rough patch. If we're lucky though they'll have a very ugly divorce. :D

Score: 0

By Tenoq

posted May 18, 2006 - 8:44 PM

Perhaps. Maybe Dell knows something about AMD's M2 processors that we don't. And we are talking servers, anyway. From the servers I've built, the Opteron seems better than the Xeons.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 20, 2006 - 12:46 PM

Better.

Faster.

Cheaper.

You name it. AMD is gonna hold that title for a while yet.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted May 18, 2006 - 6:00 PM

Dell got the timing horribly wrong. AMD have held the performance crown for the last couple of years, but you couldn't buy a DELL AMD system.

Now that AMD have started getting trounced by the Intel Conroe and upcoming Mermon cores, you can now buy a AMD DELL system!!!

Score: 0

By tucker84

posted May 18, 2006 - 9:09 PM

My understanding is this is only for 4P systems initially, where even intels Woodcrest are still going to suck due to FSB bandwidth issues.

They will probably start with Socket F systems as well and can go through quad cores and K8L as well.

Score: 0

By The Man

posted May 18, 2006 - 8:50 PM

"Now that AMD have started getting trounced by the Intel Conroe and upcoming Mermon cores, you can now buy a AMD DELL system!!!"

you have used a conroe?
or, are you just quoting the results of the chip intel let be tested?

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted May 19, 2006 - 8:59 AM

No, but have seen convincing INDEPENDANT benchmarks of Conroe, to show that the sleeping dog is awakening...

Mermon and Woodcrest build on the conroe core. It seems AMD have nothing up their sleeve for the forseeable future. The Dual Core Turion is very disappointing.

Score: 0

By The Man

edited May 19, 2006 - 2:53 PM

look , they don't even make computers with "core 2 duo's" yet
so don't talk to me about being better until we see the price point, and how they REALLY perform.
besides, AMD is developing a quad core.
i became an AMD fan after intel messed up the p4, i'll buy into the conroe when i see it perform like they say it will(and at a decent price).

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted May 19, 2006 - 3:44 AM

I'm almost sorta AMD fan, but Conroe will take the lead--though it won't be permanent...AMD will regain it @ a year later......Won't really matter, as we won't have full-fledged OS & apps to take significant advantage during that time anyhow.... It's the tiny chance/opening i give Linux IF PS3 is not unduly delayed-- folks hack their PS3's to work as regular computers......

Score: 0

By Niro

posted May 18, 2006 - 8:50 PM

Uhhh...we're talking servers here...I guess you forgot to read the HEADLINE

Score: 0

By Kramy

posted May 18, 2006 - 6:20 PM

They're still cheaper though, and the sheeple won't realize that. ;)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 18, 2006 - 5:19 PM

Vista should bring those margins up nicely.

I believe this has more to do with Intel relaxing their restrictions on Dell, thus allowing Dell to start using other processors.

Of course, Intel's actions would be a direct result of the AMD lawsuit. I am betting AMD never really thought it would get through the courts, tried, etc..they likely just did it to get Intel to loosen it's grip a bit.

Just guessin'.

Score: 0

By rijp

posted May 19, 2006 - 12:46 PM

Well I don't like AMD, myself, but competition is good! Whatever keeps Intel on their toes, I think its good.

I am not bashing AMD chips, let's make that clear right now. I am saying, I prefer Intel. AMD obviously makes good stuff, but like other things in my life, I don't want to give up my investment..

Score: 0

By The Man

posted May 18, 2006 - 8:52 PM

sounds right, but i think dell has been moving towards AMD ever since they started selling the chips again

Score: 0

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