Okay, so this has been an interesting debate. After the first rumors and reports that Intel might be killing the DIY PC (or at least crippling it) by removing the socketed option for future processors after the Broadwell architecture, the Internet had a hissy-fit. Josh debated here that the future didn't look at that bleak at all and AMD chimed in later with its commitment to sockets into 2014 and beyond.
It looks like Intel has officially addressed the issue through a story at MaximumPC.com:
Intel remains committed to the growing desktop enthusiast and channel markets, and will continue to offer socketed parts in the LGA package for the foreseeable future for our customers and the Enthusiast DIY market. However, Intel cannot comment on specific long-term product roadmap plans at this time, but will disclose more details later per our normal communication process.
While those in the community that see the glass half empty will look at Intel's use of "foreseeable future" as a red herring, we have to at least attempt to take Intel at its word until any more details might be released to counter it.
Let the debate continue!
At the moment all we can do
At the moment all we can do is wait and watch unfortunately. I for one actually hope that Intel does go BGA only because that would push people to AMD for upgrade paths and then AMD would have the money to start competing in the R&D department again. It would take a few years for the growth to change hands though and Intel would probably go back to sockets before AMD fully recovered. This is all a few years from now anyway, so even if Intel goes BGA only on Broadwell then we still won’t see any real significant change in the marketplace for about 5 years from now when stockpiles of socket 2011 chips get low. In the long run I don’t see Intel having a serious long term commitment to BGA only chips unless AMD disappears completely. Which may happen although I for one hope that AMD gets acquired by a firm such as Google or Microsoft. That would keep an alternative CPU manufacturer in the market and would give either Google or Microsoft the APU’s for reference tablets that they could put out cheap to put pressure on Apple. Those are just my thoughts though.
With many companies,
With many companies, “foreseeable future” means the next quarter or 2.
Screw sockets, give me a
Screw sockets, give me a mobo/cpu combo with a warranty/real factory test so when I buy something it actually works.
Doesn’t work? Back into the box you go, not this half ass’d which part is faulty RMA wait game.