AMD’s Chief Takes a Swipe at Intel’s Arrow Lake CPUs Amid Processor Shortages
Shots fired in the tech arena! Frank Azor, a top executive at AMD, recently criticized Intel’s Arrow Lake series of processors by labeling them as "horrible." This bold statement is tied to an ongoing shortage of AMD’s high-demand gaming CPUs. Astonishingly, AMD has pointed a finger at Intel, claiming its competitor’s lackluster performance is contributing to the current scarcity of AMD’s X3D processors.
During a recent media roundtable reported by Tom’s Hardware, AMD candidly acknowledged it underestimated the demand for its CPUs. The company initially anticipated lower interest, assuming Intel would put forth a more competitive push. However, with Arrow Lake failing to impress, consumers have increasingly favored AMD’s offerings for their next-gen processors.
Azor commented to Tom’s Hardware, "We were confident in the quality of our products. What we didn’t expect was that the competitor’s offerings would be so subpar, leading to demand exceeding our forecasts."
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, a highlight of AMD’s Zen 5 lineup featuring cutting-edge 3D V-Cache technology, has been grappling with significant supply challenges since its release. AMD representatives noted during the discussion that they are actively working to alleviate these shortages, but creating a new 3D V-Cache chip is a lengthy endeavor.
David McAfee, AMD’s corporate VP and head of Client Channel Business, revealed to PC World that the company is ramping up production capabilities. "We’re increasing our output of X3D processors, significantly surpassing our initial plans. The demand for both the 9800X3D and 7800X3D has been unprecedented," he stated.
The limited supply of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has frustrated consumers, resulting in inflated prices and scarce availability at retailers. In response, AMD assured its customer base that it is diligently collaborating with TSMC to boost production and address shortages effectively.
Recent data shared by X user @TechEpiphanyYT highlights AMD’s success, indicating that during the first week of 2025, the company sold 8,830 processors compared to Intel’s mere 435—a striking indicator of AMD’s dominance in the market. This preference is evident, especially as AMD fulfilled 5,000 back-ordered Ryzen 7 9800X3D units in just one week, while Intel’s latest Arrow Lake CPUs managed to sell only 20 units, showcasing a clear tilt toward Team Red in the current competitive landscape.
As Intel faces mounting scrutiny regarding its production delays and overall performance, the pressure on TSMC’s manufacturing capabilities remains a critical issue that could have broader implications for the tech industry. While Intel has not addressed AMD’s recent claims directly, industry analysts note that the current dynamics between these two giants can potentially reshape market trends.
