AMD expects high-end graphics to drive India sales, hopes for PS4 boost

World's second largest computer chipmaker AMD expects its sales volumes in India to surge significantly in the next few years on the back of demand for high-end graphics experience for gaming and videos.

"As the Indian market is evolving, graphics are becoming critical for a great computing experience and it is here AMD steps in with its high graphic performance chips like our APUs (Accelerated Processing Units)," AMD India Managing Director Ravi Swaminathan told PTI.

 Swaminathan said AMD has a strong presence in the youth market with its latest graphics capabilities and the launch of Sony PlayStation 4 will further boost its image. AMD is providing a single-chip custom processor for Sony's brand-new gaming console, PlayStation 4.

"A lot of people are looking at India as the next big gaming destination and with PlayStation 4, AMD will further enhance its presence in this market and boost its image among the youth," Swaminathan said.

The new generation of APUs provide a combination of faster processing speed, multiple compute cores and amazing graphic capabilities, making it an excellent platform for gamers and PC enthusiasts alike, he added.

Unlike a traditional processor, APUs are designed to accelerate one or more types of computations. This may include graphics or similar specialised processing system.

About eight quarters back in 2011, AMD was not a big player in the market, but, now it has a strong presence, he said.

Quoting the latest IDC report, Swaminathan noted that "AMD India's market has grown 12 times as compared to the market growth over the last one year, with a current market share of 20.1 per cent in the Q4 FY12."

AMD India's total client market share grew from 8.8 per cent in first quarter of 2011 to 20.1 per cent in October-December 2012. The company follows January-December fiscal.

"2012 was a year of repositioning for AMD, globally. 2013 will see us finish what we started and build for the future," he said.

In the commercial business segment, AMD India recorded its highest ever market share of 27.1 per cent in Q4 2012, while in the consumer notebook market its share stands at 4.4 per cent in Q4 2012 from a low of 3.1 per cent in Q1 2011.

As per an IAMAI report, gamers constitute over 41 percent of the total active Internet users in India. Another industry report suggests the Indian gaming sector achieved revenues of Rs 1,300 crore in 2011.