AMD Will Not Endorse SYSmark 2012 Benchmark

AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced that it will not endorse the SYSmark 2012 Benchmark (SM2012), which is published by BAPCo (Business Applications Performance Corporation). Along with the withdrawal of support, AMD has resigned from the BAPCo organization.

“Technology is evolving at an incredible pace, and customers need clear and reliable measurements to understand the expected performance and value of their systems,” said Nigel Dessau, senior vice president and Chief Marketing Officer at AMD. “AMD does not believe SM2012 achieves this objective. Hence AMD cannot endorse or support SM2012 or remain part of the BAPCo consortium.”
AMD will only endorse benchmarks based on real-world computing models and software applications, and which provide useful and relevant information.

AMD believes benchmarks should be constructed to provide unbiased results and be transparent to customers making decisions based on those results. Currently, AMD is evaluating other benchmarking alternatives, including encouraging the creation of an industry consortium to establish an open benchmark to measure overall system performance.

AMD encourages anyone wanting more details about the construction and scoring methodology of the SM2012 benchmark to contact BAPCo. For more details on AMD’s decision to exit BAPCo, please read AMD’s Executive Blog authored by Nigel Dessau.

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AMD Launches AMD Radeon™ HD 6990M

AMD (NYSE: AMD) today launched the AMD Radeon™ HD 6990M GPU – the world’s fastest single mobile graphics processor – an uncompromising GPU that delivers massive computing power to mobile users.  The AMD Radeon HD 6990M GPU was measured to be up to 25% faster than any other announced notebook enthusiast GPU¹. 
Furthermore, hardcore gamers can experience additional gaming performance through AMD CrossFireX™ technology.

Ultra-fast performance and portability is imperative for enthusiast mobile gamers who crave technology that helps deliver an incredible gaming experience with the latest graphic-intensive titles. With the arrival of the AMD Radeon 6990M GPU and the recently launched AMD A-Series Accelerated Processors (APU), AMD is pushing graphics capabilities to the limits for a wide range of notebook form factors and price points while enhancing the experience through technologies like AMD CrossFireX™ and Dual Graphics^2,3 (using a combination of AMD Radeon GPUs or an AMD Radeon™GPU and an AMD APU). AMD CrossFireX technology combines the output of two GPUs that helps deliver increased performance allowing gamers to immediately notice higher resolutions and greater image quality. With two AMD Radeon HD 6990M GPUs and AMD CrossFireX technology enabled, the notebook gamer can appreciate exceptional performance scaling in their favorite games.


“There’s always been a belief that when it comes to mobile computing you need to make performance compromises. Today AMD demolishes that myth,” said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and general manager, GPU division, AMD.  “The AMD Radeon HD 6990M GPU, which not only packs AMD Eyefinity technology with unprecedented specs, also provides full Microsoft DirectX® 11 and Stereo 3D support. Bottom line, this processor is epic and it’s here – now.”
The AMD Radeon HD 6990M also represents a significant upgrade from AMD’s current gaming notebook graphics solution, the AMD Radeon HD 6970M, raising the bar from both a performance and image quality perspective.  With support for DirectX® 11, users can expect ultra-fast frame rates and superior image quality, which gives gamers every advantage their desktop computers once enjoyed exclusively.  With AMD Eyefinity technology users can immerse themselves in an ultra-rich environment that supports up to six displays.⁴ The AMD Radeon HD 6990M graphics processor also delivers AMD App Acceleration technology⁵, which uses the power of the GPU to improve video playback, streaming and faster web browsing with Internet Explorer 9 and Mozilla Firefox.  AMD HD3D technology⁶ ensures mobile users aren’t just watching videos or viewing pictures — rather they become immersed in a truly stereoscopic 3D environment backed by an open ecosystem with supporting software and hardware.

“At its core, the Alienware brand is about pushing the limits and finding new extremes in gaming performance,” said Arthur Lewis, Vice President and General Manager for Alienware. “By offering two AMD Radeon HD 6990M graphics processors in our flagship M18x laptop, Alienware and AMD have come together to provide gamers the ultimate mobile experience.”
As the PC gaming technology leader, AMD is dedicated to delivering the fastest technology and industry support needed to help create the best possible gaming experience on the PC. Whether it’s driving up frame rates, extending quality settings or pushing clock speeds⁷, the AMD Radeon HD 6990M GPU is the ideal notebook for hardcore gamers looking to run the industry’s most demanding DirectX 11 games such as Dragon Age 2, DiRT 3 and Shogun 2.

“We’re excited by the new AMD Radeon HD 6990M GPU for enthusiast Clevo notebook users, specially implemented in our X7200/P170HM/P150HM gaming product lines,” said Stephen Chien, Sales and Marketing Vice President, Clevo. “With 2GB GDDR5 memory along with 1.6 teraFlops of raw compute power and 1120 stream processing units, those notebook users will reign supreme. The AMD Radeon HD 6990M will help users achieve intense effects and blazing fast frame rates for outstanding performance.”

“Eurocom high performance notebooks offer exceptional performance with the addition of AMD Radeon HD 6990M graphics,” said Mark Bialic, President, Eurocom.  “Our customers can expect record breaking gaming with unmatched realism and blistering speeds in all Eurocom systems powered by AMD Radeon HD 6990M in both single and AMD CrossFireX configurations!”

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