An OEM close to AMD's plans has told The Register that it has started to receive supplies of the Athlon 700MHz microprocessor in volume. That means that AMD has exceeded its target in ramping up the processor frequency of the Athlon K7, and means machines are likely to be available in a matter of weeks. The German OEM, who declined to be named, said that he had already received sufficient stock of Athlon 700s to start building machines. Further volume stocks are on their way to him, he confirmed. Those reports are strengthened by specialist Web site AMD Zone which is reporting that adverts using the Athlon 700 are already in print. According to the site, the October issue of Computer Shopper is carrying an advert by a firm called Cybermax, which is selling a 700MHz Athlon system with a 21-inch monitor for just under $3,000. At launch, in summer, AMD vowed it would introduce ramped up Athlons throughout the whole of this year. Intel has adjusted its marketing plans to bring faster processors at a cheaper price since the Athlon first emerged from its non-disclosure agreement. ®