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Intel and AMD May Both Delay Next-Generation CPUs
MojoKid writes "AMD and Intel are both preparing to launch new CPU architectures between now and the end of the year, but rumors have surfaced that suggest the two companies may delay their product introductions, albeit for different reasons. Various unnamed PC manufacturers have apparently reported that Intel may push back the introduction of its Ivy Bridge processor from the end of 2011 to late Q1/early Q2 2012. Meanwhile, on the other side of the CPU pasture, there are rumors that AMD's Bulldozer might slip once again. Apparently AMD hasn't officially confirmed that it shipped its upcoming server-class Bulldozer products for revenue during August. This is possible, but seems somewhat unlikely. The CPU's anticipated launch date is close enough that the company should already know if it can launch the product."
The current situation is Intel is slaughtering AMD. AMD hasn't had an architecture update in a long, long time and it is hurting them. Clock for clock their current architecture is a bit behind the Core 2 series, which is now two full generations out of date. Their 6 core CPU does not keep up with Intel's 4 core i7-900 series CPU, even on apps that can actually use all 6 cores (which are rare). Then you take the i5/7-2000 series (Sandy Bridge) which are a good bit faster per clock than the old ones and there is just no comparison.
On top of that, Intel is a node ahead in terms of fabrication. All Sandy Bridge chips, and many older ones, are on 32nm. AMD is 45nm at best currently. Not only does that equal more performance but it equals lower heat for the performance, particularly for laptops. Then of course Intel is talking about Ivy Bridge, which is 22nm, another node ahead. Their 22nm plant is working and they've demonstrated test silicon so it will happen fairly soon.
The situation is not good for AMD. All they've got is the low end and that is getting squeezed hard by Intel too. They need a more efficient CPU and they need it badly. Delaying is not something they want to do, Bulldozer has been fraught with delays as it is. They've been talking about it for a long time, like since 2009, and delivered nothing.
They have every reason to want to get Bulldozer out as soon as possible and preferably before Ivy Bridge. Each generation that Intel releases that they don't have a response for just puts Intel that much farther ahead.
Now that said, Intel may well have decided to hold Ivy Bridge if AMD can't deliver Bulldozer because they don't need to. Sandy Bridge CPUs are just amazing performers, they don't need anything better on the market right now. However I can't imagine AMD colluding with Intel on this. They are not in a good situation.