IF YOU CAN’T wait to order a new PC with AMD’s crazy 16-core Threadripper CPU, there’s bad news and good news. The bad news is, Dell subsidiary Alienware announced recently that it has secured an exclusive deal for AMD’s high-end chip through the end of the year.
But before you get out your torches and pitchforks, there’s also good news here. The exclusive applies only to big-name PC rivals like HP and Lenovo. Smaller boutique gaming PC vendors will be able to build Threadripper systems, and DIY PC builders will have access to it, too.
Why this matters: AMD’s much-hyped Threadripper (go.pcworld. com/mht) promises to bring the same tough competition to Intel’s high-end desktop CPUs that its Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 chips did for Intel’s Core i5 and Core i7 chips. Alienware’s exclusive is a major coup for the gaming PC company, but it’s also certain to anger competing PC makers and their fans.
When is an exclusive not an exclusive?
Alienware’s so-called exclusive is a matter of semantics. “Through 2017, (Alienware) will be the exclusive OEM partner to deliver AMD Ryzen Threadripper pre-built systems to the market and the high-end 16-core will be factory overclocked across all 16 cores and 32 logical threads,” Alienware said.
What the company meant by “OEM” is major PC vendors like HP and Lenovo, rivals to its parent company, Dell. Smaller, boutique PC companies such as Origin PC, Maingear, iBuypower, and Cyberpower will be able to build machines using Threadripper this year, as will DIY PC builders.
Trapped in Area-51
Alienware said it will use the 16-core variant and lower in its updated Area-51 PC, which can take liquid cooling and run up to three GPUs.
Alienware has an exclusive on AMD’s hot new Ryzen Threadripper for the entire year.
Alienware may have a partial lock on Threadripper, but Threadripper doesn’t have a lock on Alienware. The company said it will also offer Intel’s new 12-core Skylake-X for the Area-51 product line.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Private Internet Access: A low-price, high-value VPN for everyone
This veteran VPN shows it can still hang with the best.
Hands-on: Kensington's first Thunderbolt 5 dock is built for the future
Thunderbolt 5 is here...but you'll need more than just this well-built Kensington dock to take advantage of it.
Tested: Intel's Lunar Lake chip wants you to forget Qualcomm laptops exist
Great battery life, mediocre performance, surprisingly decent gaming: That is how Intel's Lunar Lake chip stacks up.
7 laptop habits that coax the most out of your battery
Don't send your laptop into an early grave.
WordPad is gone from Windows 11. Here's how to bring it back
With the arrival of Windows 11 version 24H2, WordPad is officially gone. Want to keep using it? You're in luck.
Hackers know your social security number. Here's how to stay safe
Thanks to a multitude of data leaks, your most sensitive information is now easily accessible to the world.
20 insanely useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts I use every day
After so many years, I'm still discovering new keyboard shortcuts.
WHAT THE HECK IS AN NPU, ANYWAY? HERE'S AN EXPLAINER ON AI CHIPS
ALL PCS WILL SOON HAVE NEURAL PROCESSING UNITS. HERE'S WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU IN SIMPLE TERMS.
WINDOWS 11'S 2024 UPDAATE: 5 BIG CHANGES I REALLY LIKE (AND MORE)
WINDOWS 11'S ANNUAL UPDATE IS ROLLING OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
Hackers are using AI-generated code for malware attacks
Two separate attacks have been spotted using code that was probably written by artificial intelligence.
