AMD benefiting from Intel chipset issues

AMD has been fielding requests from original-equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and electronics retailers for help and product as a result of a design error in an Intel support chip, Leslie Sobon, AMD vice president of product and platform marketing.

"We have some customers and retailers who have come to us specifically as a result of Intel's chip problem," Sobon said. "Some retailers have had to take things off their shelves, so they call us to ask what they could get from our OEMs that's similar. And OEMs are asking us for product, as well."

AMD's Sobon said OEMs who have two models of a computer--one that uses an AMD chip and one that uses an Intel chip--are requesting more processors to be able to release additional models of the AMD-powered PCs. And retailers are asking AMD about what PCs are available at similar price points or screen sizes, she said.

Sobon said most of the demand is for mainstream computing chips, for notebooks costing more than $500. The company's Fusion combo chip for mainstream computers isn't expected until mid-2011, but Sobon said some customers are requesting more of its lower-end Fusion chips, as well as its older mainstream computer processors.