BNP Paribas Global Equities Selects Sun Servers Based on the AMD Opteron Processor.

PARIS -- BNP Paribas Global Equities Optimizes Risk-Management Applications With Sun Fire V20z Servers Powered by the AMD Opteron(TM) Processor

AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced that BNP Paribas, a global Fortune 500 enterprise and the fifth largest international bank network in the world, has deployed AMD Opteron(TM) processor-based Sun Fire V20z servers to optimize its risk-management applications.

Powered by the AMD Opteron processor Model 250, the two-socket Sun Fire V20z servers are one of the industry's top-performing x86 servers available today. BNP Paribas intends to use these new servers as part of its compliance efforts with the new Basel II regulations as well as to provide a global network of traders with improved, real-time access to its risk-management analysis applications. The AMD Opteron processor with Direct Connect Architecture is an ideal solution for the risk-management analysis applications commonly used in the financial sector and trading room environment. With Direct Connect Architecture, AMD helped remove the front-side bus bottleneck and directly connected the processors, the memory controller and the I/O, to improve overall system and performance efficiency.

"Global financial services enterprises such as BNP Paribas are turning to solutions based on the AMD Opteron processor to achieve the scalability and computing power required by their customers who demand reliable and quick risk analysis tools," said Henri Richard, executive vice president, AMD Worldwide Sales and Marketing. "Together Sun and AMD are delivering the ideal enterprise-class solution for risk-management analysis. BNP Paribas and other enterprise customers can now deploy the solutions with ideal return on investments."

"The AMD Opteron processor-based Sun Fire V20z server delivers high-performance x86-based simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing while giving customers more value and choice by supporting the Sun Java Enterprise System software suite," said Christian Hiller, vice president and CEO Sun Microsystems France. "Sun's collaboration with AMD represents a response to the increasing customer demand for x86 solutions that protect existing investments and deliver more productivity to keep pace with the ever-changing global market."

About the AMD Opteron(TM) Processor

The world's first 32-bit and 64-bit processor compatible with the x86 architecture, the AMD Opteron processor is based on AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture. Direct Connect Architecture helps eliminate the bottlenecks inherent in a front-side bus by directly connecting the processors, the memory controller and the I/O to the central processor unit to enable improved overall system performance and efficiency. AMD was the first to announce the completion of an x86-based dual-core processor design and the first to demonstrate an x86-based dual-core processor for 32- and 64-bit computing. As more solution providers join the AMD64 ecosystem, the industry is approaching the day when 32-bit-only systems will become obsolete.

About AMD

AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to delivering standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises and governments to individual consumers. For more information visit www.amd.com.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Opteron, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.