2024 was a disappointing year for PC gaming hardware, with underwhelming CPU releases from AMD and Intel, and a delayed release of next-gen GPUs from both companies. The absence of significant advancements left many gamers holding off on upgrades. However, Intel’s surprise hit, the Arc B580, offered a glimmer of hope, and the upcoming CES 2025 promises a revitalization of the market.
Intel’s stock has plummeted over 56% in 2024, mirroring its decline in innovation and market share. Facing fierce competition from AMD, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, Intel’s future hangs in the balance as acquisition rumors fade and leadership changes.
Intel Corporation announced the appointment of semiconductor industry veterans Eric Meurice and Steve Sanghi to its board of directors, following the departure of CEO Pat Gelsinger. This move comes as Intel navigates significant leadership transitions and strives to regain its competitive edge in a challenging market.
Intel, facing its toughest period in decades, is attempting a risky maneuver: spinning off its Foundry business while navigating a complex CHIPS Act agreement. This strategic move, while potentially shedding billions in losses, comes with strict government stipulations that could significantly impact Intel’s future.
New leaks suggest Intel’s Arc B580 GPU, a successor to the A580, will launch in December for $250. This 12GB VRAM card boasts a new architecture and aims to compete with existing offerings from Nvidia and AMD, promising impressive performance at a potentially competitive price point.
Qualcomm’s interest in acquiring Intel appears to be cooling due to the complexities of such a large-scale merger. While a full acquisition may be off the table for now, Qualcomm hasn’t ruled out purchasing parts of Intel or revisiting the idea later. This development comes as Intel faces financial headwinds, including reduced CHIPS Act funding and slower-than-expected AI chip sales.
This week’s tech and gaming news is packed! Sony’s acquisition of FromSoftware’s parent company, a Half-Life 2 anniversary documentary hinting at a potential Half-Life 3, STALKER 2’s performance issues, and the latest on AMD Ryzen and Intel’s CPU strategies are all discussed, along with reviews of the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and Corsair Xeneon 34-inch monitor.
An excerpt from the upcoming book ‘The Nvidia Way’ reveals CEO Jensen Huang’s aggressive stance against Intel in 1997, a crucial period that shaped Nvidia’s rise to become one of the world’s most valuable companies. Learn about the intense company culture and the underdog fight against a then-dominant Intel.
AMD’s Ryzen CPUs are making a significant impact, capturing the top spots on Amazon’s best-selling CPU list and dramatically increasing their market share. This surge, driven by the popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 7800X3D, challenges Intel’s recent comments downplaying the need for competing 3D V-Cache technology.
The global GPU market is exploding, reaching an estimated $100 billion by year’s end. This staggering growth is driven by the AI boom and the dominance of NVIDIA, whose GPUs are essential for AI workloads. Learn about the diverse applications of GPUs, the key players in the market, and the future of this rapidly evolving technology.
