AMD introduced the AMD 690 series chipset, the company’s first chipset to bring together the combined strengths of AMD CPU and platform technology with the features of the ATI Radeon X1250 GPU.

“As a result of the ATI merger, AMD is delivering innovative platforms for the commercial and consumer markets featuring best of breed performance, visual computing experience, energy efficiency and stability,” said Dirk Meyer, AMD president and COO. “With the launch of the AMD 690 series chipset, AMD is delivering on the commitment we made to our customers, channel partners and end users to bring to them customer-centric innovation. Our largest global customers are already committed to offering AMD 690 series-based solutions, and more than 30 motherboard designs will be available.”

The AMD 690 series chipset incorporates ATI Radeon X1250 graphics into its design to ensure The Ultimate Visual Experience for Windows Vista. Working together, AMD’s chipset, CPU and GPU hardware and software teams have optimized the AMD 690 platform to provide rock-solid stability and image quality and will soon support select platforms in the AMD Validated Solutions program. Commercial customers will appreciate the energy-efficient design of AMD 690 series-based platforms, in a compact package suitable for multiple form factors and configurations, supporting up to four monitors with the addition of a dual-DVI ATI Radeon graphics card.

The AMD 690 family is the first AMD chipset with ATI graphics that supports ATI Avivo technology. The AMD 690 series chipset provides more display choices than any other chipset today, being the first chipset with integrated HDMI and a separate DVI output. Protected content can also be played through on-chip HDCP support, making this chipset an incredible multimedia platform.

The new AMD 690 series chipset, representing one of the industry’s most versatile platform GPU solutions, is also a new addition to the AMD Better by Design program. Launched earlier this year, the Better by Design program is an industry-wide initiative highlighting outstanding performance and superior technologies in PCs designed by leading global OEMs. Today’s PC users want better performance and a richer experience, and the Better by Design program provides the added level of information needed to make the smarter choice.