We've had a similar case with AMD this year: engineers at were testing CPUs in a way that was also disabling some security patches in Windows, which led to better performance. Those security patches were bound to be disabled in a new build of Win, so there was indeed some performance left on the table in early reviews. Normally I would criticize the vendor for this type of screw-up, but the reality is Intel is paying through their nose for this "unexpected" performance gap. The loss in sales and in mind share is telling them all they need to know.
IMHO we should cut Robert Hallock some slack, he's doing something Intel failed to do for years now, which is to talk about internal issues and communicate intention to fix things. He's also been dealt a very bad hand to work with here. The same applied for Tom Petersen on the GPU side, it's hard to get out there and expose yourself, so they deserve more leniency than usual (as messengers).
Let's wait and see what Intel cooks up, it's not like anyone is rushing to buy Arrow Lake anyway.
Where did you hear AMD was testing with some things disabled? Did AMD admit that? I don't mean that in a way that I don't believe it but good on them if they did. I get your points and they are good ones but I'm still left with an empty and betrayed after watching that video.
The thing that has me frustrated is that Intel is admitting or divulging nothing. You write unexpected performance gap. Intel won't even talk about performance gap. Only unexpected "results."
Is the released hardware that goes along with the software showing the same performance as Intel's testing as per pre release benches or not? If not why? If so then what are you fixing?
It's really simply actually. They could straighten this out in a 1 paragraph press release. But no they create a 1+ our spin video. I also love how the interviewers nod along approvingly at all of the non answers and silly excuses, "Oh yes! Of course! That makes sense!" I understand they are just happy to get the interview but what's the point if you can't ask pointed questions?
They should put Intel to the test. Ask the hard questions, ask the follow ups. If Intel refuses to answer end the "interview."
I think they played along and gave Intel a pass because its Intel.
Intel is getting smoked across the board right now by AMD. AMD has no degradation issues, AMD is more efficient, and AMD overall is more performant. It's time for Intel to level up.
This is Netburst vs. Athlon and there is no Core waiting in the wings for Intel. It's time to be self effacing, no arrogant and smug.
I don't blame the messenger, he seems like a really nice guy and is going what he can within the onerous confines Intel placed on what he can divulge. "Just tell them we'll fix it." Fix what? "You know just mix it up so they don't if if you're coming or going and say fix it and unexpected a lot."
As John Lennon said, "Just gimme some truth man."
BTW, good advice some people here regarding my 3rd degraded part. I'm going to ask for a refund. I don't want another defective part as I believe they are all the same (defective).