AMD's transition to K8L to be slow

The switch to the new AMD K8L architecture will be slow, X-bit Labs reports. This basically means that it will take some time before AMD may start to regain marketshare from Intel again in the mainstream market. If the info is correct it will take AMD three quarters to move about sixty to seventy percent of its desktop processors to the K8L architecture.

AMD is projected to introduce new family of desktop microprocessors which are code-named after stars and use the new code-named K8L micro-architecture will be introduced in the third quarter of 2007, according to a recent roadmap of the chipmaker. Those chips are made using 65nm process technology and the family is set to include both dual-core and quad-core microprocessors, though, it is uncertain whether K8L lineup includes single-core central processing units (CPUs) too. It is believed that micro-architectural enhancements of the K8L will allow AMD to more successfully compete against Intel Core 2 family of chips.

The new desktop chips will feature AM2+ form-factor and will not be drop-in compatible with existing infrastructure. By the Q4 of 2007AMD’s product mix will include 20% of AM2+ processors, while by the end of Q1 2008 there will be “above 60%” of AM2+ processors among all chips shipped by AMD, a news-story by DigiTimes web-site claims.