AMD to offer ARM-based processors

Advanced Micro Devices Inc, a United States-based semiconductor maker, said on Tuesday will roll out its first 64-bit ARM technology based processors aimed at the data center and cloud markets by 2014.

ARM Holdings Plc's processors are now mainly used in smartphones. ARM's proc-essors usually have weaker processing abilities but are more energy efficient.

The processors will be designed for multiple markets, but the company's initial marketing plans only are aimed at cloud and data center servers.

"AMD will be able to bring choices to our customers after the ARM-based processor hits the market," said Andrew Feldman, vice-president of AMD and general manager of the company's data center server division.

Once the new product is available, AMD will be the world's only processor maker bridging the Intel Corp-made x86 and 64-bit ARM ecosys-tems.

"It was the customers' demands that required us to develop a fast and energy- efficient processor," said Feldman.

Feldman said that the establishment of ARM's software ecosystem "will take time", adding that the company will team up with original equipment manufacturers, or OEM, in a bid to accelerate the development of the software.

The company did not disclose if the new product will also be available for the consumer market.