AMD is teaming up with Microsoft to promote Windows XP to system builder and disties. The duo also plan "select retail and small business programs" for the iconic operating system, which launches... October 25.

There's a press release but details are sketchy and US-centric. What we want to know is: how much are the two companies spending on the campaign, and what's the split? Any which way, it has to be less money than Intel is spending on wrapping itself in the XP colours.

Speculation from sources not unadjacent to AMD are putting a $300m price tag on Intel's commitment to promote Windows XP. In return Intel gets the right to put the XP logo beside the Intel Inside logo on PCs.

In this context, AMD's decision to rename its Athlon range the Athlon XP, first revealed by The Register, looks increasingly smart. And cheap (as in not expensive) too. ®

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