AMD removes 100 series Opteron pricing

A TECH Report review commented that AMD had removed the pricing of its 100 series Opteron processors. Checking the chip maker's Web site confirmed that was true. The processor model numbers are still there but the prices have been asterisked out. Why has that happened?

We ran a story last December that said AMD had stopped production of socket 939 Opterons as it appeared that too many overclockers were buying them. But AMD said that hadn't happened. It still could be the case that too many of these Opteron parts are going into the hands of overclockers, so AMD's action may be trying to put a brake on sales.

Why would overclockers want to buy these parts? Just look at the prices below:

Opteron
Dual core model 165 - $278
Single core Model 144 - $111

Athlon 64
Dual core 3800plus - $301
Single core 3200plus - $155

The entry-level Opterons are both cheaper than their Athlon 64 counterparts. They also have twice the amount of level two cache and overclock like crazy. AMD's FAQ page says there are other distinct differences as well. Since it's socket 939 Opterons that overclockers are buying we'll just show those details here:

1. AMD Opteron 100 Series processors with ECC unbuffered memory all have 1MB of L2 cache.

2. AMD Opteron 100 Series processors with ECC unbuffered memory are produced on AMD Opteron processor die material and follow the same AMD Opteron processor manufacturing process as do the 800 Series and 200 Series.

3. AMD Opteron 100 Series processors with ECC unbuffered memory undergo the same AMD Opteron processor-level testing and validation as do the 800 Series and 200 Series.

So these Opterons are AMD's best socket 939 devices. It's no wonder that enthusiasts want to get their hands on them.

It could be that this is a precursor for something else. To avoid speculation could someone from AMD tell us what's going on?

For those who want to see what the 100 series Opteron pricing was, just Google "AMD processor pricing" and click on the cached link. µ

See Also
AMD stops production of Socket 939 Opterons