AMD 'committed' to CPU upgrade path
Summary: AMD makes it clear that it is committed to socketed CPUs and APUs and has no plans to move to BGA only 'soldered' CPU packaging.
While reports suggest that Intel could be preparing to put a stake in the heart of user-upgradeable CPUs, AMD remains committed to socketed processors.
In an email to ZDNet, an AMD spokesperson said that the company has "a long history of supporting the do-it-yourself and enthusiast desktop market with socketed CPUs and APUs that are compatible with a wide range of motherboard products from our partners," and that this 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 [ball-grid array] only packaging and look forward to continuing to support this critical segment of the market," the spokesperson said.
AMD was also keen to point out that as the company that introduced new types of BGA packages in ultrathin platforms several years ago, and today offers a wide range of BGA-packaged processors for devices such as ultrathin notebooks and all-in-one desktops, the company understood "Intel’s enthusiasm for the approach."
See also: Intel 'preparing' to put an end to user-replaceable CPUs
However, for the desktop market, and specifically PC enthusiasts, AMD stresses that it understands what is important to its customers and will "continue to bring better value and a better experience."
Traditionally, the processors in desktop systems are fitted into a socket on the motherboard that allows them to be removed and replaced, while systems such as notebooks and tablets have the CPU soldered onto the motherboard.
The rumor that Intel was planning a switch from land-grid array (LGA) to BGA has been circulating for months, but last month Japanese tech site PC Watch was the first to break the news that Intel has informed OEMs of the change.
At present, Intel uses the LGA package design, which allows the processor to either be fitted into a socket or soldered directly to a motherboard. This gives the OEM down the line options as to how to mount the processor onto the motherboard.
A switch to BGA would mean that the processor could no longer be fitted into socket where it could be removed or replaced, and instead would be soldered to the motherboard much like processors for notebooks and tablets are nowadays.
The repercussions of a move like this would be felt far and wide. While not many people bother to upgrade their PCs, instead choosing to buy a new one, the market is large enough to support countless manufacturers and vendors. A move like this by Intel would be the final nail in the coffin for this industry, taking down a number of players. This, unfortunately, would have a corresponding knock-on effect on jobs.
Modularity made the desktop PC, and removing this key feature will bring this to a close.
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Talkback
I'm glad AMD has seen common sense
The line being touted by Intel is one of trying to shaft more $ from already squeezed businesses and institutions. There is simply no way that Intel's proposal makes business, economic or practical sense. It's plain, out 'n out, money grabbing on their part. Don't even get me started on the environmental repercussions: when a whole Intel board is consigned to the landfill, when under the old paradigm, a chip swap would've sufficed.
More power (and Kudos) to AMD for having the wisdom and foresight to err on the side of economic and logistical sense.
ditto!
Props to AMD
More emotion than fact
But it's funny how my instinct was to demand the replaceable processor, even though I never do it. Though, I do do it with old systems on occasion, take a good processor out of a bad board and move it, etc.
Good move
More About Choice than Upgrade Path
However, I think that the bigger issue with non-socketed CPUs is limitation of choice. Right now, with socketed CPUs, a buyer can pick out a motherboard with a certain socket and then choose whichever processor that fits that socket that he wants. He can mix and match motherboard/CPU combinations at will. If CPUs suddenly have to be soldered to the motherboard, it can't help but significantly reduce the choices a system builder will have. This applies not only to people who build their own machines, like myself, but also to small custom OEM builders.
It's not all about the upgrades
Too many SKUs
So if Intel does go to BGA what does that mean for system builders?
Only if you stick with Intel CPUs
Which is more than fine with me. So far, the only time I've purchased any Intel-equipped PC was my wife's laptop earlier this year. Every other PC either came pre-installed with an AMD chip, or I built it myself with AMD chips specifically in mind. Heck, even our first PC not only came with AMD's K6 (300 MHz), but I later was able to upgrade to the K6-2 (500 MHz). Having that lower-cost alternative that provided similar performance helped save me a lot of money, and is just one reason why I'm still pretty brand-loyal when it comes to AMD vs. Intel.
I am the same
I think that if Intel does go this route it will end up causing many upset customers in both vendors and in end users/system builders as this would limit choice and flexibility.
Intel already limited processor swaps
As for performance, benchmarks may show Intel's Ivy Bridges well ahead, but the truth is, nearly all modern processor speeds are far beyond the point where it makes any real noticeable difference for 99% of users and programs, and I doubt that I would have any real advantage in my daily use. My Thuban is never slow for anything I need or use (including heavy software like VMware or Adobe CS6), I'm still very happy with it, and it should be no surprise that AMD still has lots of fans out there.
Funny post...
AMD: LLano A series -> Trinity A series = Socket FM1 -> Socket FM2
Who's playing with sockets ?
Good news
Remember Slot 1?
Intel will be handing AMD a gifthorse.
Can you imagine how many variants of the same motherboards will be available if they have to be fitted with intel cpu's? Will this force a smaller choice of cpu / motherboard ranges?
anything's possible
"...Will this force a smaller choice of cpu / motherboard ranges?
If Intel go ahead with this hair-brained idea, i don't see any other logical result for consumers than that.
This could save AMD
AMD CPUs/APUs are fast enough for most applications already. What speed advantage I'm giving up with AMD is not that important for most of my purposes. That's particularly been true when considering cost/performance ratios
AMD could entirely dominate the enthusiast and gamer niches in the near future by holding onto the socketed PGA architecture. If Valve finally finishes its port of the Steam game platform to Linux, gamers may be free of the Microsoft tax as well when building or upgrading systems with the intention of dominating opponents in MMPORGs.
what seems completely baffling
There ain't any complaints from from me though: as i've always bought and used AMD processors / mo'bo's
Interesting times lie ahead.
I'll bet you money that intel has found a way...
I also expect to see other benefits of the soldered chips, like reduced number of external chips to support the CPU as they will al be made internal to the single soldered on chipset, and 10nm or smaller manufacturing processes which also may require the soldered on method for one reason or another.
In the end I doubt much will change, a few people will drift to AMD and a few people will drift to Intel, just like it has everytime a new family is released by either vendor. You can guarantee whether or not consumers like them, Intel spent a LOT of cash determining the functionality of the new chip configuration as for how it affects their bottom line.