Microsoft gave AMD top billing in a Wednesday statement announcing beta versions of 64-bit Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

Right atop Microsoft's brief marketing blurb is news that AMD's 64-bit chips will be supported with both Standard and Enterprise editions of Windows Server 2003. The beta software has arrived for MSDN subscribers and "will soon" be available to the rest of the proles.

Microsoft, of course, already has Windows XP in beta for AMD's Athlon 64 with final release due early next year.

A bit later on its statement, Microsoft salutes its good chum Intel as well. A beta of the Standard edition of Windows Server 2003 is available for Itanium. Microsoft already has the Enterprise and Datacenter flavors of the OS available for public consumption on Intel's 64-bit chip.

Microsoft's 64-bit OS has performed well while riding the rocky Itanic, setting some top benchmark scores on large SMPs. With the Standard edition, Microsoft will look to make some gains in the lower-end server market. ®