AMD sees better profit margins in 2011

(AP) -- Advanced Micro Devices is raising its profit forecast as the company readies the rollout of an ambitious new line of computer processors.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. now expects gross profit margin of 44 percent to 48 percent of revenue in 2011, excluding items, versus an earlier estimate of 40 percent to 45 percent.

AMD is the No. 2 maker of microprocessors, the "brains" of computers.

It is preparing next year's launch of Fusion, a line of sophisticated chips that handle high-end graphics and general computing tasks on the same piece of silicon. The chips are critical for challenging rival Intel Corp.

AMD's chief financial officer, Thomas Seifert, said Tuesday that the markets for graphics and general computing chips should grow 10 percent to 15 percent next year.

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