Today AMD announced it was working with Microsoft to add 64-bit support to Windows for their new “Hammer” processors that have been renamed the Athlon (desktop) and Opteron (Server)

Finally this may help AMD get some decent OEM partners which they desperately need – Intel has Dell as support shop, but AMD is severely lacking this. But lets hope this 64-bit support is added to programs as well, and it doesn’t turn out like the 3DNow!

AMD is hoping to ship the new AMD Athlons (ex-ClawHammer’s) in Q4’02 and the AMD Opteron (ex-SledgeHammer’s) in 1H’03. The announcement also comes on the last day of Sander’s job as CEO, before he passes the title to Hector Ruiz

The announcement is also likely to increase the development speed of Intel’s Yamhill series of processors which support x86-64