Intel in the crosshairs
During CES 2025, Frank Azor, manager at AMD, did not mince his words. He called Intel’s latest Arrow Lake processors horrible
explaining that their poor performance had pushed a significant portion of consumers towards the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. For AMD, this unexpected demand far exceeds initial forecasts. Result: impossible to produce quickly enough to satisfy everyone.
A complex production
David McAfee, vice president at AMD, clarified that the production of X3D processors is particularly long. Indeed, it takes around 12-13 weeks to manufacture a single processor, due to the 3D V-Cache overlay process, which adds even more time. AMD has increased its production capacity, but the increase in speed remains slow. McAfee has also indicated that the first half of 2025 will be dedicated to closing this gap between supply and demand.
Intel lagging behind
The Arrow Lake processors, supposed to compete with the Ryzen X3D, disappointed on several points, particularly in gaming. Despite promises of fixes, tests show that performance is insufficient. This situation leaves room for AMD, which in the meantime strengthens its position in the high-end gaming processor market. For gamers, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has become the essential reference, while Intel still seems to be looking for ways to redress the situation.
The Ryzen 9800X3D, victim of its success
8-core models, like the 9800X3D, are clearly the most in demand. They far outsell Ryzen 9 X3D processors, which are more expensive and less attractive to gamers. According to McAfee, these models sell ten times more than their big brothers. But faced with this significant demand, stocks remain low, and the new models announced, such as the 9950X3D, will probably not be enough to relieve the pressure on the production lines.
AMD has therefore clearly taken the advantage over Intel in the gaming processor sector, but high demand is putting a strain on its production capacity. Consumers will still have to wait before seeing the shelves fill up with Ryzen 7 9800X3D. As for Intel, it remains to be seen whether they will soon be able to offer a product capable of competing. But for now, AMD reigns supreme.
