Advanced Micro Devices

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is a semiconductor company that designs and develops graphics, processors, and media solutions for both commercial and consumer markets. The company’s product portfolio includes desktop graphics, laptop graphics, professional graphics, desktop processors, laptop and tablet processors, server processors, embedded processors, chipsets, and solid-state drives (SSD).

AMD was founded in 1969 by Walter Jeremiah (Jerry) Sanders, a former executive at Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, and seven others. The company released its first product in 1970 and went public two years later. 

In the mid-1970s, the company began producing computer chips. Starting out as a second-source manufacturer of computer chips, the company placed a great emphasis on quality and grew steadily. In 1982, the company began supplying second-source chips for the Intel Corporation, which made the microprocessor used in IBM personal computers (PCs). The agreement with Intel ended in 1986. 

In 1991, AMD released the Am386 microprocessor family, a reverse-engineered chip that was compatible with Intel’s next-generation 32-bit 386 microprocessor. There ensued a long legal battle that was finally decided in a 1994 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in AMD’s favour. 

In 2008, AMD announced plans to split the company in two—with one part designing microprocessors and the other manufacturing them. This announcement followed news that the Advanced Technology Investment Company and the Mubadala Development Company, both based in Abu Dhabi, would acquire a controlling interest in AMD, pending approval by shareholders and the U.S. and German governments. 

In 2009, following a series of complaints lodged by AMD, the European Commission fined rival Intel a record €1.06 billion (£948 million; $1.45 billion) for engaging in anticompetitive practices that violated the European Union’s antitrust laws. These practices allegedly involved financially compensating and providing rebates to manufacturers and retailers who favoured its computer chips over those of AMD, as well as paying manufacturers to cancel or postpone the launching of products utilising AMD’s chips. 

In 2014, the company was restructured into two parts: computing and graphics, which made processors for personal computers, and enterprise, embedded, and semi-custom, which made more-specialised processors.

Advanced Micro Devices' mission has historically revolved around providing high-performance computing solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and industries to achieve their goals through innovative semiconductor technologies. The company strives to develop cutting-edge processors, graphics solutions, and related technologies that deliver exceptional performance, efficiency, and value to its customers.

AMD's vision has consistently revolved around advancing computing technology to empower individuals, businesses, and industries with high-performance and energy-efficient solutions. The company has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of processing power, graphics capabilities, and overall computational performance. Some key aspects of AMD's vision include:

High-Performance Computing: AMD has strived to deliver high-performance computing solutions that cater to a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics and gaming to enterprise servers and data centers. The company's Ryzen processors and Radeon graphics cards have been designed to offer competitive performance for both mainstream and enthusiast users.

Innovative Architectures: AMD has been committed to creating innovative processor architectures that offer a balance between performance, power efficiency, and versatility. This includes features like simultaneous multithreading (SMT) for improved multitasking and workload handling.

Graphics Excellence: AMD's Radeon graphics technologies have aimed to provide stunning visual experiences for both gamers and professionals. The company has focused on delivering high-quality graphics processing units (GPUs) that can handle demanding tasks such as gaming, content creation, and virtual reality.

AMD Products and Services: Driving Computing and Graphics Innovation

CPUs (Ryzen): AMD's powerful processors cater to various computing needs, from desktops to laptops, offering competitive performance and energy efficiency.

GPUs (Radeon): Radeon graphics cards excel in gaming and professional tasks, providing high-resolution visuals and data center GPU acceleration.

APUs: Combining CPUs with integrated Radeon graphics, APUs are perfect for compact systems, laptops, and entry-level gaming.

Data Center (EPYC): EPYC processors deliver high core counts and memory bandwidth for cloud, virtualization, and analytics applications.

Embedded Solutions: AMD's processors serve industrial systems, digital signage, gaming, and medical devices.

Software & Tech: AMD offers Radeon Software for graphics optimization and FreeSync for smooth gaming.

Semi-Custom: Collaborative solutions for gaming consoles, embedded devices, and specialized applications.

Ecosystem Support: Partnerships with hardware manufacturers and software developers ensure compatibility and performance.

Research & Innovation: Continual investment in processor architecture, graphics, and efficiency advancements.