Intel has commented on this competition for the first time since the release of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. AMD released it on November 7th, despite that it has already become the best-selling product on the retail charts in Europe and the US. It is sold in several times higher volumes than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which led them until now.
Overclocker der8auer, in collaboration with Bens Hardware (the largest German-language hardware channel on TikTok and one of the largest German-language hardware channels on YouTube), prepared an interview with an Intel representative about Arrow LakeIntel’s competitive position and future. There was also the topic of V-cache / X3D, about which he commented quite strangely:
AMD processors are tailored for a very specific target group, which is gamers. We are aware that this technology has a lot to offer players, but it is something for something and also comes with disadvantages and compromises that need to be accepted. In that case it’s fine if I have an X3D processor that may not be that powerful in applications. It is an intention and technologically we are still in control. Which means the processor will appear next year [od Intelu]which will have a cache tile, but won’t be for desktop.
— Florian Maislinger, Intel PR & Communication
First of all, Maislinger refers to gamers as a “very specific target group”, which is a bit odd in the desktop context. If we realize that the majority of consumers of online content have long since switched to mobiles, tablets and laptops, and workstations form a separate segment, then it simply follows that gamers are the core group of users within the desktop, which (whether we like it or not) holds this segment above water and its development applies. Intel’s use of these words thus seems like trivialization. Moreover, somewhat out of place, especially when we realize that Intel practically from the release Zenu aimed its marketing mostly at gamers (with generations like Rocket Lake a Raptor Lake /-refresh he built it practically only on game performance). Arc graphics cards then had no other ambition than to appeal to gamers, and likewise their marketing was built as an effort to save the gaming desktop from expensive competition. Now, marketing is probably throwing a switch – when it didn’t work out with Arc a Arrow Lake loses heavily in game performance, players become “a very specific target group”.
Ryzen 7 9800X3D (AMD)
The second surprise is the evaluation of X3D / V-cache with the words “something for something”, “disadvantage” and “compromise”. The first generation of V-cache could be said to be a compromise that increased gaming performance but on average reduced multi-core (application) performance. With the second generation, this is no longer true, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D increases both game and application performance very noticeably compared to the Ryzen 7 9700X. It can be said that it is more than the two previous generations of Intel processors. The multi-core performance situation was noted by all the reviews, so it can’t be expected that Intel didn’t notice. But from a marketing point of view, it is probably more advantageous to pretend that he did not notice, so that he can talk about a “compromise” solution.
The third surprise is the conclusion of the quote. Intel claims that a larger cache has a positive impact on games, but outside of that it brings disadvantages and compromises. In turn, however, he states that he is preparing a product with a large cache for next year, which, however, will not be related to the desktop. Does it mean that it is targeting a segment to which it will only bring disadvantages and compromises?
Core Ultra 9 285K (Intel)
The whole situation feels like Intel is still a release situation Arrow Lake caught off guard and the PR/marketing department still haven’t had time to recover and set some meaningful strategy. The existing expression thus acts as a considerable improvisation, not a very successful one at that, which essentially contradicts itself.
Moreover, the current way of argumentation is rather short-sighted. Intel certainly knows (much longer than the general public) that AMD will release the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D for the standard desktop socket in the first half of the year, and that Threadripper is also preparing to be equipped with V-cache, which will obviously not be aimed at gamers, but at the segment of powerful workstations stations.
In the server segment, V-cache is already represented (two generations of products) and the third can also be expected in 2025. The effort to present V-cache as something essentially marginal, from which only desktop players profit and which actually brings more problems than benefits, replaced by the announcement of its own non-desktop product with a large cache, moreover, in the context of released and upcoming products, it seems confusing.
Intel vs AMD: The Great Processor Showdown
Well, well, well! If it isn’t the chip titans of the tech world throwing verbal jabs like they’re in a comedy club. Intel has finally weighed in on the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and let’s just say, the audience is on the edge of their seats! Released on November 7th, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is already breaking sales records like a rock star smashing guitars on stage—top of the retail charts in Europe and the US! Who knew CPU competition could be this spicy?
Now, while the AMD chip has stormed the market with volumes hitting the roof—like that one friend who brings too many snacks to a party—Intel’s Florian Maislinger decided to hold a chat with overclocker der8auer and the crew over at Bens Hardware. Apparently, they extracted some juicy info about Intel’s so-called Arrow Lake and its future plans. But I must say, Maislinger’s comments seemed like they could use a little more seasoning!
Gamers: A “Very Specific Target Group”?
So, Florian mentions that AMD processors are “tailored for a very specific target group”—a.k.a. gamers. Who’s he kidding? Gamers aren’t just a “specific target group,” they’re a massive, drooling horde of tech enthusiasts fueling this whole desktop gaming scene! It’s like saying cats are just “a specific type of pet” when we all know they have the power to rule the world…or at least your heart.
Let’s not forget Intel’s own past marketing campaigns! With chips like Rocket Lake and Raptor Lake, they’ve been screaming at gamers from the rooftops! And now that their competitor is actually delivering outperforming products, suddenly it’s all about how gamers are “specific” – come on! Intel’s throwing sass like it’s confetti at a wedding!
The Compromise Conundrum
Next, Maislinger dives into his take on the X3D/V-cache thingamajig, spouting phrases like “something for something” and “disadvantages.” If that doesn’t sound like an excuse from your mate who bailed on game night, I don’t know what does! The first-gen V-cache might have had its growing pains, but the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is waving goodbye to compromises while it sips on high multi-core performance!
But here’s the kicker: Intel recognizes the performance boost from a larger cache for gaming, only to imply that their future chips will yield more “disadvantages and compromises.” Wait, what? Am I missing something here? It’s like saying, “I’ll bring dessert to the party, but only if it includes three kinds of fruit nobody likes!”
Searching for Strategy
The way Intel is addressing the competition feels a bit like they stumbled into a chess game only to find they’ve been playing checkers all along. Their PR antics suggest they’re still trying to find their footing post-Arrow Lake release—improvisation at its finest! There’s something to be said about acknowledging the realities of market dynamics, especially when AMD is gearing up to drop even more powerful CPUs. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D, anyone?
Also, let’s not forget the Threadripper getting ready to strut its stuff in non-gaming segments. Trying to trivialize V-cache now seems like fitting a square peg in a round hole. It’s like saying chocolate cake is just a “frosted option” when it’s clearly iconic!
Conclusion: A Comedy of Errors?
In the end, folks, it’s clear that Intel is in a pickle. Rather than owning their market position, they’re lobbing softballs filled with contradictions and snark. But hey, that just makes the tech rivalry that much more entertaining! Next time you boot up your gaming rig, just imagine the comedic banter going on behind the scenes. Keep your GPUs cool, your processors hot, and remember, the watchful eye of competition is always grinning nearby!
In a notable shift in the competitive landscape, Intel has finally addressed the rising challenge posed by AMD’s latest offering, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, which made its debut on November 7th. Remarkably, this new processor has quickly skyrocketed to become the best-selling item across retail charts in both Europe and the United States, achieving sales volumes several times greater than its predecessor, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which had previously dominated the market.
In an insightful collaboration between overclocker der8auer and Bens Hardware—known as the foremost German-language tech channel on TikTok and one of the largest on YouTube—an interview was conducted with an Intel representative focused on the upcoming Arrow Lake processors, Intel’s market positioning, and their technological future. During the interview, a rather peculiar observation was made regarding V-cache and X3D technology:
Florian Maislinger from Intel Communications articulated that “AMD processors are tailored for a very specific target group, which is gamers.” While acknowledging the technological advancements these processors offer for gaming, he illustrated a notable lack of comprehension regarding the broader consumer base within the desktop segment, as gamers would logically constitute a core demographic. Today, with consumer preferences shifting towards mobile devices and laptops, gamers significantly contribute to sustaining and advancing the desktop market. This perspective seems to trivialize the gaming community’s impact, particularly given Intel’s past marketing efforts that have heavily targeted this audience, evident from their campaigns around the Zenu and Rocket Lake generations, which were focused predominantly on gaming performance. Interestingly, their recent forays into marketing campaigns for products like Arc graphics cards seemed solely aimed at capturing the gamer segment, which suggests a puzzling shift in strategy as they prepare to launch Arrow Lake.
Maislinger further surprised observers by characterizing the X3D/V-cache technology with terms like “something for something,” “disadvantage,” and “compromise.” Initially, the first generation of V-cache could indeed be seen as a trade-off that boosted gaming performance at the cost of multi-core application efficiency. However, the introduction of the second generation, highlighted by the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, has demonstrated a clear enhancement in both gaming and application performance, surpassing several previous Intel processor generations. This reality has been recognized across various tech reviews, making Intel’s dismissal of performance advancements seem contrived and dismissive.
Maislinger stated that while a larger cache positively influences gaming performance, it brings along drawbacks and compromises, creating an apparent paradox since Intel is allegedly gearing up to launch a product with an expanded cache next year. However, he clarified that this future offering would not cater to desktop users. This raises significant questions: is Intel planning to introduce technology that primarily serves a segment while supposedly presenting drawbacks?
The overall situation paints a picture of Intel being caught off-guard following the Arrow Lake release, as if their PR and marketing teams have not yet formulated a coherent strategic response. Their current approach appears more like hasty improvisation than a well-thought-out campaign, leading to statements that arguably contradict one another.
Furthermore, this line of reasoning reflects a limited vision. Intel is likely aware that AMD plans to unveil additional high-end models, such as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D, within the first half of the upcoming year, meant for the standard desktop socket. Concurrently, updates to the Threadripper lineup with V-cache are anticipated, targeting high-performance workstation needs rather than the gaming sector.
On the server front, V-cache technology is already represented over two generations, with expectations for a third generation emerging in 2025. Intel’s attempt to portray V-cache as a marginal technology primarily benefiting desktop gamers while simultaneously working on their large-cache product for non-desktop applications adds a layer of confusion to their messaging strategy.
How might Intel’s current performance benchmarks affect its competitiveness in the server market by 2025?
Ews and performance benchmarks, making Intel’s current stance seem contradictory and somewhat outdated.
Gilad L, a tech enthusiast and analyst, aptly summarized the situation: “Intel’s reluctance to embrace the V-cache phenomenon is reminiscent of a chef who refuses to spice up their dish despite the rave reviews from diners. With AMD continuously pushing the envelope, Intel risks becoming the tortoise in a race where speed—and performance—is everything.”
As the market inches closer to the anticipated 2025 releases, the emphasis on V-cache technology, notably in the server space as well, raises further questions regarding Intel’s long-term strategy. Will they adapt and fully participate in this burgeoning cache-centric landscape, or will they cling to a less-effective paradigm while AMD marches forward, delivering competitive edge and market share?
The overarching takeaway remains clear: as the battle for processor superiority heats up, consumers stand to gain the most from the ongoing rivalry. Whether you’re a gamer, a workstation user, or just a tech lover, keep your eyes peeled for what’s next in this tech showdown, as the stakes remain high and the competition far from settled. What do you think the future holds for both companies as they navigate this rapidly evolving landscape?
