Processor maker AMD had a rough fourth quarter, which was followed by last week’s announcement of resignation of its CEO Dirk Meyer. Commenting on the company’s Q4 results, which showed flat year-over-year revenue, CFO and interim CEO Thomas Seifert put a lot of stock into the new processors announced last June at a computing expo in Taiwan.

Seifert said 2011 started with "significant momentum", some of which was due to the release of its next-generation Fusion APU (accelerated processing unit). The APUs combine x86 microprocessors with DirectX 11-capable graphics, aiming to enhance the performance of mobile PCs.

"I am confident we can drive profitable growth based on the strength of new products we will bring to market," he said. Our customers recognize that Fusion APUs are at the core of delivering the world's most vivid digital experiences."

AMD reported net income of US$375m on $1.65bn in sales for the fourth quarter. The quarter’s earnings per share were $0.50.

The company’s full-year 2010 revenue was US$6.49bn – a 20% increase from 2009. Full-year net income was $471m, with $0.64 EPS.

Lower average selling prices of notebooks and servers in the fourth quarter led to lower average selling prices for AMD microprocessors, the company said. Average processor price decreased sequentially and remained flat year-over-year.

In addition to Fusion, AMD introduced new six-core and dual-core processors: Phenom II X6 1100T and the Phenom II X2 565 Black Edition, six- and dual-core respectively.

The company’s graphics segment fared better during the quarter, increasing revenue by 9% sequentially, but staying flat year-over-year. AMD attributed the sequential increase to higher average selling price of discrete graphics processors and a seasonal strength for gaming console sales.