AMD has gone to 1GHz and beyond with the latest version of its flagship Athlon processor. The Intel rival has demonstrated a 1.1GHz chip at its Fab 30 manufacturing facility in Dresen, Germany.

The 1.1GHz beast is based on the latest version of Athlon, which features integrated Level 2 cache and is manufactured using a 0.18 micron process with copper interconnects.

Unlike the processor in Carrera's recent 1GHz Athlon PC, this chip requires no special cooling techniques to run. AMD expects to start earning its first revenues from chips designed at Fab 30 at the end of the second quarter of 2000, so we can expect the first 1GHz machines this summer.

Meanwhile, in other Athlon news, several major PC manufacturers are set to release new machines based on the recently released 850MHz version of the processor.

By the time you read this, Carrera will have added the 850MHz chip to its Octan range, while Evesham Micros will be offering four new configurations in March. Mesh has announced a PC that pairs the Athlon with ATI's Rage Fury Maxx, aimed at the high-end gamer, and Time Computers will also have new machines.