The Intel Execution in [2025]

This is exactly the problem I was saying about Intel: they really wanted to push x86 everywhere, without considering whether it's a good fit or not. Mobile is growing? Make a x86 CPU for it (Atom). Super computing? Make a x86 CPU array. They even wanted to push x86 into embedded computing (with limited success).

Poor timing and design decisions.

With Mediatek moving to designs with all big cores it's getting to the point where x86 isn't much of a problem any more for mobile either. As for Xeon Phi, CU/SM's in GPUs aren't small enough that using x86 for the scalar processing is a significant overhead ... it was how Intel decided to design the rest of the processor which made it impossible to compete with GPUs. Narrower SIMD, less SMT, strict coherence etc ... that killed the computational density, not x86.
 
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Poor timing and design decisions.

With Mediatek moving to designs with all big cores it's getting to the point where x86 isn't much of a problem any more for mobile either. As for Xeon Phi, CU/SM's in GPUs aren't small enough that using x86 for the scalar processing is a significant overhead ... it was how Intel decided to design the rest of the processor which made it impossible to compete with GPUs. Narrower SIMD, less SMT, strict coherence etc ... that killed the computational density, not x86.

I think this is partly a x86 problem, because some of these decisions probably was at least partly due to some limitations of x86. For example, x86 only had 8 GPRs, so SSE also has 8 registers, but since SSE is a completely new set of instructions, they don't really need to have only 8 registers, but yet Intel still made it with only 8 registers. They probably think it's better this way as some decoding hardwares can be reused or something.

It's only later with VEX encoding they are able to support 3-operand instructions and with EVEX to extended the number of registers to 32. They could do this earlier, but I think the baggages of x86 still shows in mnay places.
 
Based on the latest report by reliable insider and leaker, @Jaykihn0, it looks like the company has significantly altered its discrete GPU plans. It is said that the high-end Battlemage BMG-G31 GPU is more or less dead and that has been the case since Q3 of 2024. We did see some dies ship by the tail end of 2024, but it looks like those may just be for testing or evaluation purposes with plans for a retail launch being scrapped much earlier.
 
Not surprising. They’re too far behind on PPA with Battlemage.
what does PPA stand for?

on a different note...,

Intel's board gets industry-focused as three directors will not seek re-election — badly needed shift to deeper tech experience


 
I wonder how much intel still produces in the usa. I remember them having fabs in new york. Is there enough manufacturing here that they could produce here and avoid tarrifs ?
 
I wonder how much intel still produces in the usa. I remember them having fabs in new york. Is there enough manufacturing here that they could produce here and avoid tarrifs ?
About 80% of Intel fabs are in the USA. That goes to about 90% if we add Israel.
They do seem to have the majority of assembly and testing facilities in Asia though.
Anyway I'm fairly certain that US semi companies out of all such companies will be able to get tariff exemptions (temporal or permanent).
 
About 80% of Intel fabs are in the USA. That goes to about 90% if we add Israel.
They do seem to have the majority of assembly and testing facilities in Asia though.
Anyway I'm fairly certain that US semi companies out of all such companies will be able to get tariff exemptions (temporal or permanent).
Yea if not I wonder how difficult and how long it would take to get assembly and testing facilities built up in the usa.
 
Goods that are classified as semiconductors are exempt from the recent round of tariffs.

  • Some goods will not be subject to the Reciprocal Tariff. These include: (1) articles subject to 50 USC 1702(b); (2) steel/aluminum articles and autos/auto parts already subject to Section 232 tariffs; (3) copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber articles; (4) all articles that may become subject to future Section 232 tariffs; (5) bullion; and (6) energy and other certain minerals that are not available in the United States.

 
Goods that are classified as semiconductors are exempt from the recent round of tariffs.



But products using semiconductors apparently not, so for example computers aren't, I'm not sure how clear it currently is where they draw the line.
 
But products using semiconductors apparently not, so for example computers aren't, I'm not sure how clear it currently is where they draw the line.

And that’s why markets are tanking. Everyone is parking in cash until there’s clarity on wtf is going on.
 
But products using semiconductors apparently not, so for example computers aren't, I'm not sure how clear it currently is where they draw the line.

My understanding is that the US just uses a standardized system of import codes so there shouldn't be any confusion on the part of the actual businesses.

For example I believe CPUs are classified under -

85423100 - Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers

Which is listed in this list of exemptions - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Annex-II.pdf

In addition the following of likely our interest here -

85423200 Electronic integrated circuits: memories
85423300 Electronic integrated circuits: amplifiers
85423900 Electronic integrated circuits: other
85429000 Parts of electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies

While an assembled computer is under -

84715001 Processing units other than those of subheading 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether or not containing in the same housing one or two of the following types of unit: storage units, input units, output units

Which is not listed in the exemption list
 
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