AMD “Aggressively Clearing” CPUs to Prepare for Zen

AMD’s Zen architecture could dramatically reverse the company’s fortunes in the CPU sector and allow them to enjoy a larger market share. Additionally, if the performance is up to standard, it could force Intel to reduce their prices and provide a cheaper upgrade path. According to the Taiwanese industry journal Digitimes, AMD is preparing to launch Zen during CES 2017 with mass market shipments arriving a month later. As expected, this means the company is engaging in promotions to shift stock of AM3+ and FM2+ products to make room for Zen. This is a sensible approach and helps AMD to unleash the new architecture in large numbers. Even though a large portion of users will wait a few months to see what Zen is capable of, some might require a low-end build and take advantage of the discounted prices.

If you’re looking to build an HTPC on a tight budget, it might be worth keeping an eye out at the pricing levels of AMD’s existing processors. Furthermore, the company’s APUs are far ahead of Intel and still provide a decent experience alongside games like Dota 2 or League of Legends. Only time will tell if AMD manages to fulfil people’s expectations, but the release is drawing ever closer.