http://anandtech.com/show/7991/amd-is-also-working-on-a-new-64bit-x86-core

They're also making a custom ARM core with it. There's few specifics as of yet, but they intend to target future consoles (what they call "semi-custom"). A great deal of AMD's revenue currently comes from the PS4 and Xbox One so it makes sense that they'd design it towards that.

This is a big deal because it was uncertain if AMD would continue to make chips for desktops/servers at all. They haven't announced new designs in these areas for a few years.

This is great news for the PC market if the new product can be competitive. They will however need to make up a 40%+ deficit in single thread performance against Intel, and they will only have access to very much inferior process tech to do it (Samsung 22nm BEOL+14nm FEOL hybrid vs true Intel 14nm).

They have to find a way beside Intel which they currently only can compete with in terms of price.

I don't really see how this is news because I'm pretty sure they're supposed to make new chips. There's barely any specifics either which makes it more useless to mention. At least to me.

AMD hasn't made any announcements about the high end in a few years now. Most people thought they would not make any more "big cores" and they'd refocus on phones/tablets.

Oh. Well, it's different in that case. I don't follow processor news because once again I'm confident that they'll always develop anyway.

Is it SoC design / APU?

Very pleased with my AMD based PC. Very cheap to build and great performance. Shame they are always behind due to inferior fabrication.

No specific products announced, but it sounds like both.

It sounds like the new core is going to be the successor to Jaguar rather than the Bulldozer line. It still sounds like they are dropping their high performance line to focus on one x86 architecture focused on the embedded and low power market. Which they may scale up for desktop.

I hope its something good cause x86 really needs competition badly... Intel has basically been the winner since the phenom days