SUNNYVALE, CA -- January 07, 2002 --AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the new AMD Athlon? XP processor 2000+, reinforcing AMD?s commitment to provide the industry?s highest performing desktop PC processors to our customers. Systems featuring the AMD Athlon XP processor 2000+ are expected to be immediately available from Compaq in the U.S. Other top-tier manufacturers, including Hewlett-Packard Company and MicronPC, LLC in the U.S., and NEC-CI in Europe, also plan to offer systems soon with the AMD Athlon XP processor 2000+. Benchmark results and review links available! Bechmark Results Of AthlonXP 2000+ Reviews: AMD's Athlon XP 2000+ vs Intel's 0.13-micron Northwood @ Anandtech:"In order to counteract today's launch, AMD is showing more of their hand as they release another addition to the 0.18-micron Palomino based Athlon XP line - the Athlon XP 2000+. AMD obviously didn't feel the introduction of the Northwood was alarming enough to push for the release of 2100+ and 2200+ parts but we'll see if AMD is able to retain the performance crown they've held throughout the past several months. We're effectively killing two birds with one stone in this review so we'll first talk about the Athlon XP 2000+ and then onto the new Northwood core from Intel. As usual, let's get to it." AthlonXP 2000+ @ Techhard:"Finally once again the Athlon XP shows ground to Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz. However the Intel crew is expecting best within`s coming 0.13 micron based 2.0A and 2.2A. This can be called the last pentium 4 hope of the Intel to overcome XP. But yes, Pentium 4 did outperform even XP 2000+ in the benchmark which are much more CPU intensive." AthlonXP 2000+ @ AMDMB:"While the extra 70 MHz is nice and it definitely is the fastest processor available anywhere, it is nothing revolutionary as far as architecture or technology are concerned. There is a nice 4-5% increase in performance when compared to its predecessor. If you already have an 1800+ or 1900+, I don't see a reason to upgrade. However, if you are below those levels, perhaps even on the older Thunderbird cores, the Athlon XP 2000+ will look very appealing to you!"