AMD says Ryzen will compete well in the Core i5 and i7 range

Responding to a question from a financial analyst, AMD CEO Lisa Su placed the upcoming Ryzen processors firmly in the Intel Core i5 and Core i7 territory. This is not really a surprise, the first Ryzen processors will focus on the higher end of the market while Ryzen APUs will target the lower segments later this year.

Mark Lipacis - Jefferies LLC
Thanks for taking my question. Lisa, I'm hoping that you can help me understand the dynamic of desktop microprocessors ramping down in front of the Ryzen ramp. My understanding was that Ryzen was the higher end SKU that comped against the Core i5 or Core i7, which is above where the existing microprocessors competed in the stack. So, I'm wondering if we should think about Ryzen either cannibalizing the existing desktop microprocessors at a higher ASP or ramping down the lower end, or should we think about Ryzen layering on top of the existing lower end desktop microprocessors? Thanks.

Lisa T. Su - Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Yes, absolutely, Mark. Thanks for the question. So, look, you are absolutely right. Ryzen is really a high end desktop product and I think the comment was really around our overall channel inventories in desktops. So, we wanted to ensure a very smooth transition. No question that Ryzen will layer on top, competing well in the Core i7, Core i5 range, but we also will eventually see a full lineup of Ryzen throughout the desktop portfolio.

Replying to a different question from another analyst, Su stated the performance of the Zen core came out very well and has "actually met or exceeded our expectations".