AMD Won't Abandon Socketed Client CPUs: Company Spokesperson

[btarunr]

Even as Intel neither confirms nor denies reports of it abandoning socketed client desktop processors in favor of BGA packages that permanently bind chips to motherboards, AMD has come forward and asserted that it won't abandon socketed client processors, and will continue to support the DIY PC enthusiast market, reinforced with the fact that BClk multiplier-unlocked processors from the company start for as low as US $129.99. In a statement to the TechReport, AMD's Chris Hook said:

AMD has a long history of supporting the DIY and enthusiast desktop market with socketed CPUs & APUs that are compatible with a wide range of motherboard products from our partners. That will continue through 2013 and 2014 with the "Kaveri" APU and FX CPU lines. We have no plans at this time to move to BGA only packaging and look forward to continuing to support this critical segment of the market.

As the company that introduced new types of BGA packages in ultrathin platforms several years ago, and today offers BGA-packaged processors for everything from ultrathin notebooks to all-in-one desktops, to embedded applications and tablets, we certainly understand Intel's enthusiasm for the approach. But for the desktop market, and the enthusiasts with whom AMD has built its brand, we understand what matters to them and how we can continue to bring better value and a better experience.

Source: The TechReport

[btarunr]

Then again, I'm skeptical. With Intel not making orders anymore, I doubt Foxconn or Lotes will maintain their CPU socket design team.

[PatoRodrigues]

WOW

That's a amazing statement after all those rumors made by "sources close to Intel".

[Dos101]

Originally Posted by PatoRodrigues

WOW

That's a amazing statement after all those rumors made by "sources close to Intel".

Any time AMD can have an advantage over Intel, you know they'll go with it.

[btarunr]

Yup, so AMD's statement only reinforces the BGA apocalypse rumor, because AMD won't make such a statement without its own research and legal opinion.

[DoomDoomDoom]

I certainly hope Intel doesn't go down that route. They have such great products...

Though if AMD offers something down the road which heavily competes with Intel's products, and still supports overclocking, I'll of course give them a look. Good on AMD for clearing up any concerns and jabbing a bit at the competition.

[BUCK NASTY]

Good to know that the enthusiast will still have a option(s). This may turnaround AMD's decision to not pursue the performance crown any longer.

[newtekie1]

At this point I'm not too concerned with the performance crown, especially not at the prices and sacrifices Intel makes us pay. I've not found anything my Phenom x6 can't handle.

[NC37]

AMD doesn't need to beat Intel in performance, they just need to commit themselves to making their customer's happy in other ways. This being one major way. If the BGA rumors are true, I hope AMD taking this stand makes people think harder about the future of their computers.

I was really finally considering an Intel build but now...I'm glad I stuck with AMD for one more round.

[Zakin]

Still happy I went with my new i5 system, although those piledriver systems are very attractive and seem monstrous around that 4.8-5Ghz range for eight cores even if they are faked cores. Something I'd love to build just to have and use honestly.

[ensabrenoir]

aahhh.... if the current trend continues.... there won't be a desktop market (unless apple makes one and then the it crowd follow and desktops become cool again ) So ...this is sorta just fluff.... Amd needs to first save itself and evolve. A shriveling company making promises to a niche market that is not large enough to solely support it aint gonna work. Especially if a bga system still hands an overclocked Amd lga its transistors. Honestly I see workstations in our future. Dont get me wrong, big ups for the support but survive first... history is littered with companies that "stayed true" to the past and is now a part of that past too.

[FordGT90Concept]

Originally Posted by btarunr

Then again, I'm skeptical. With Intel not making orders anymore, I doubt Foxconn or Lotes will maintain their CPU socket design team.

It's a headache to get 1500+ pins connected in a motherboard. The move to soldered CPUs is an inevitability when they have, and keep demanding, more contacts. AMD has been able to keep the contact count modest so they can afford to keep them unsoldered.

I could see AMD eventually having to have more contacts and reverse this decsion but it appears to be a ways off. I think, for desktops, this is going to make AMD processors a no-brainer for me. If Intel goes forward with soldering chips to motherboards, Intel chips aren't in my future.

[NC37]

Originally Posted by ensabrenoir

aahhh.... if the current trend continues.... there won't be a desktop market (unless apple makes one and then the it crowd follow and desktops become cool again ) So ...this is sorta just fluff.... Amd needs to first save itself and evolve. A shriveling company making promises to a niche market that is not large enough to solely support it aint gonna work. Especially if a bga system still hands an overclocked Amd lga its transistors. Honestly I see workstations in our future. Dont get me wrong, big ups for the support but survive first... history is littered with companies that "stayed true" to the past and is now a part of that past too.

It isn't just about the enthusiast market. This is a big move for businesses and professional environments too.

If Intel pulls an Apple and tries to strong arm people into BGA, they now have an alternative with AMD. AMD may be weak now but all it needs is Intel blundering like this for them to pick up a lot of market. This will not only help DIY builders but also businesses and smaller PC resellers who can't afford to go BGA. BGA is not going to lower prices. In fact, I think it'll raise them. Its extra work for vendors to do. Cost of production added plus testing/etc. Then imagine problems happen in production. How much higher the cost will be to replace vs just a single part. It is cheaper to just make the board then the PC maker compile the parts.

[mandis]

Intel will stop offering socketed CPUs??? What on earth is this all about? Home builds are a niche market???? Since WHEN?

Just because people invested money on tablets and smartphones it doesn't mean the PC market is dead!

Without upgradable/repairable computers it will be just like the 80s all over again...

[TheGuruStud]

Originally Posted by mandis

Intel will stop offering socketed CPUs??? What on earth is this all about? Home builds are a niche market???? Since WHEN?

Just because people invested money on tablets and smartphones it doesn't mean the PC market is dead!

Without upgradable/repairable computers it will be just like the 80s all over again...

Now, yell at us to get off your lawn.

[KieranD]

I could see how the OEM market might want to go with BGA because the type of buyers are not likely to upgrade the cpu and its easy for them to make one type of motherboard; not like motherboard manufacturers that offer multiple products and with different needs of buyers (fragmented market).

[KingPing]

At least i already know which CPU brand i'll buy for my next upgrades.

[RejZoR]

Same here. If AMD fixes up their CPU division a bit it will be a no brainer next time...

[jmcslob]

WOW!
The folks here that are gonna hold true to the dead enthusiast market, even though the writing is literally on the wall, is somewhat commendable and very much laughable...

This market is on life support people!
Nobody gives a flying F#ck about PC gaming anymore or Enthusiast PC's or what you can do on a desktop and nobody will really care when they can take their gaming system with them wherever they go!

I give it 4 years before Googles OS is the major competitor out there with uber craptastic devices that can game.

[craigo]

Originally Posted by jmcslob

WOW!
The folks here that are gonna hold true to the dead enthusiast market, even though the writing is literally on the wall, is somewhat commendable and very much laughable...

This market is on life support people!
Nobody gives a flying F#ck about PC gaming anymore or Enthusiast PC's or what you can do on a desktop and nobody will really care when they can take their gaming system with them wherever they go!

I give it 4 years before Googles OS is the major competitor out there with uber craptastic devices that can game.

Not to bust your bubble,
But whilst I understand the formfactors are changing nobody who owns the new tech devices goes without tethering them to something, sure "I heart my tablet and smartphone"..but if they did not sync with my laptop and desktops they would be useless.
the sad reality is consumer electronics/computing does not make for a productive workspace.

as for this thread I am saving AMD all by myself by building an AM3+ system...and so should you be...oh enthusiastic ones.

[Radical_Edward]

As a guy who owns both Intel and AMD machines, and builds Intel all day at work.... I will keep my money on AMD.

I love my AMD machines and my current X6 machine does everything I need it to do and more.

[jmcslob]

Originally Posted by craigo

Not to bust your bubble,
But whilst I understand the formfactors are changing nobody who owns the new tech devices goes without tethering them to something, sure "I heart my tablet and smartphone"..but if they did not sync with my laptop and desktops they would be useless.
the sad reality is consumer electronics/computing does not make for a productive workspace.

as for this thread I am saving AMD all by myself by building an AM3+ system...and so should you be...oh enthusiastic ones.

I already did....well mostly gonna buy an 8350 soon...but the market is still dying and Google cloud sync will hold all the info you need (and will share it with everyone you don't want them to)

[iKhan]

Maybe BGA for lower end and LGA for higher end processors?

[bpgt64]

Originally Posted by iKhan

Maybe BGA for lower end and LGA for higher end processors?

That's always been my interpretation of this whole shlog. It sounds like intel doesn't make much money on the i3/i5 line-up and see's the mobile-apocalypse(the shrinking of the desktop segment) that's coming and wants to consolidate cost/liability. Sell interchangeable parts at the high end i7 side of things for workstations that remain needed.

[jmcslob]

personally I wish AMD would follow suit...
Cut out the Graphics card slots,give up on memory expansion and release a few new APU models a year....then we would get the best bang for our buck as programs would get coded way better.