Pushing Performance at a Price

by Lorenzo DeSimone 2017 was a year for the ages when it comes to desktop computer processors (CPUs). Late in 2016 the rivalry between CPU makers AMD and Intel reached an all time low when Intel was in control of over 80% of the market share of CPUs. 2017 saw the releases of AMD's Zen architecture with new lines of CPUs to combat the reign of Intel. This was met with success, but AMD was not done yet. They released their Threadripper CPUs in August. These workstation grade CPUs beat out Intel's for the first time in years, and did it at a lower cost, a strong blow to Intel.

Intel released what could only be considered a response to Threadripper this September with their new i9 series of CPUs. These CPUs topped out at 18 cores, 2 higher than Threadripper, but at double the price. In testing, Intel's new i9 CPUs bested AMD's Threadripper, but at double the cost.

This video by Paul's Hardware demonstrates the pros and cons of both sides of the processors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJziUkLpU74






















The importance of this year for AMD does not shine through its product sales or performance statistics, but in the underlying future of the market for processors. AMD has not only clawed its way back into relevancy, but taken stabs at Intel that threaten its stability as king of processors. While it may be hopeful, only the future will tell.