AMD takes biggest jab at Intel in years with Zen processor

Advanced Micro Devices is touting its Zen next-generation microprocessor core as something that will allow the company to compete with larger rival Intel in the area of enthusiast and gamer PCs, as well as servers.

Lisa Su, chief executive of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based AMD, showed off working versions of the chip last night during an event at the San Francisco St. Regis Hotel, not far from the Intel Developer Forum. AMD says the “breakthrough performance” of Zen can challenge Intel’s fastest processor to date — the 10-core Broadwell-E processor.  The company says the chip will go into new kinds of thin laptops, high-end game computers, and data center servers.