It wasn't especially difficult for both companies to meet and even exceed their sales estimate for the third quarter. Semiconductor and OEM PC inventories were down sharply across the industry during the quarter helping to boost demand as AMD chief operations and administrative office Robert Rivet pointed out during a conference call Thursday (Oct. 15.)

"Every city is different but it's hard to find a computer currently in the stores in Austin, Texas," Rivet said. "The OEMs have done a very good job of bleeding down inventories in anticipation of the Windows 7 launch later this month. The supply chain is as tight as can be and it's prepped for the launch of these new products."