In May 2002, EE Times reported that AMD planned to eliminate about 200 additional jobs in Austin as it shifted its 200-mm Fab 25 from microprocessor production to flash memory. The planned cuts were tied to the factory’s changing work; they were separate from AMD’s earlier, broader announcement to close Austin’s Fabs 14 and 15.
What AMD announced about Fab 25
EE Times reported on May 9, 2002, that AMD was ramping a 0.18-micron flash process at Fab 25 and planned about 200 additional Austin job cuts. An AMD spokesman told the publication by phone that flash production required fewer process steps and fab workers than AMD’s PC microprocessor processes. AMD’s processor production had moved to Fab 30 in Dresden, according to the report. EE Times, May 9, 2002
The spokesman, whom EE Times did not name, said: “The transition to flash memory production will extend the life of Fab 25,”
How the 200 cuts differed from AMD’s earlier Austin restructuring
The Fab 25 cuts were described as additional to a September 2001 restructuring announcement. AMD then said it would close Fabs 14 and 15 and forecast approximately 2,300 position reductions worldwide by the end of the second quarter of 2002, including about 1,000 positions associated with the Austin closures. Those figures described the earlier worldwide plan, not the separate 200-position Fab 25 reduction. AMD, September 24, 2001
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
- The world’s fastest gaming processor, built on AMD ‘Zen5’ technology and Next Gen 3D V-Cache.
- 8 cores and 16 threads, delivering +~16% IPC uplift and great power efficiency
- 96MB L3 cache with better thermal performance vs. previous gen and allowing higher clock speeds, up to 5.2GHz
- Drop-in ready for proven Socket AM5 infrastructure
- Cooler not included
EE Times projected that, after the older-fab closures and additional cuts, AMD would have just over 3,000 Austin employees—about 1,200 fewer than a year earlier. That was a projection made in 2002, not a present-day company headcount. EE Times, May 9, 2002
Why the shift mattered to AMD’s flash business
The report placed the factory transition against a difficult period for AMD’s flash memory business. It put AMD’s flash revenue at $160 million in the first quarter of 2002, down 18.4% from $196 million in the fourth quarter of 2001, and attributed the decline to eroding average selling prices. These are historical figures reported at the time, not current financial results. EE Times, May 9, 2002
Rank #2
- The world's fastest gaming desktop processor and first gaming processor with 3D stacking technology
- 8 Cores and 16 processing threads with AMD 3D V-Cache technology
- 4.5 GHz Max Boost, 100 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
- For the advanced Socket AM4 platform, can support PCIe 4.0 on X570 and B550 motherboards
- Cooler not included, high-performance cooler recommended
AMD also planned to bring MirrorBit into volume production in Austin. EE Times described MirrorBit as storing multiple bits in one cell, allowing greater storage density and lower cost with smaller die sizes. This describes the company’s plan and the technology as presented in 2002; it does not establish whether MirrorBit products are available today. EE Times, May 9, 2002
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the story today
This is a historical report about AMD’s 2002 workforce plans and production strategy, not a current layoff notice or an account of present-day Fab 25 operations. AMD’s 2025 annual report describes wafer production through TSMC and GlobalFoundries for specified product groups and reports a late-2024 restructuring plan that reduced the global workforce by approximately 4%. That later context does not establish the present status or use of the former Fab 25 site, or update the 2002 Austin staffing figures. AMD 2025 annual report
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Pure gaming performance with smooth 100+ FPS in the world's most popular games
- 6 Cores and 12 processing threads, based on AMD "Zen 5" architecture
- 5.4 GHz Max Boost, unlocked for overclocking, 38 MB cache, DDR5-5600 support
- For the state-of-the-art Socket AM5 platform, can support PCIe 5.0 on select motherboards
- Cooler not included
Rank #4
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Gaming and Content Creation Processor
- Max. Boost Clock : Up to 5.7 GHz; Base Clock: 4.3 GHz
- Form Factor: Desktops , Boxed Processor
- Architecture: Zen 5; Former Codename: Granite Ridge AM5
Rank #3
- Processor is versatile, reliable, and offers convenient usage with high speed
- Ryzen 9 product line processor for your convenience and optimal usage
- 5 nm process technology for reliable performance with maximum productivity
- Dodeca-core (12 Core) processor core allows multitasking with great reliability and fast processing speed
- 12 MB L2 plus 64 MB L3 cache memory provides excellent hit rate in short access time enabling improved system performance
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
