While AMD processors lack performance, they excel at one thing: power management. Phenom was less power efficient than Intel processors from the start, and the situation has only gotten worse.

For example, the new Bulldozer-based FX-8150 uses slightly less power at idle (about 10-15 watts in most reviews). However, when loaded, the processor consumes approximately 65 watts more than an Intel Core i7-2600K, which is more than 40% more.

As a result, AMD processor-based systems lose a significant portion of their value equation over time, as they cost slightly more to run. The bigger issue for AMD is that this high power draw necessitates larger power supplies and heat sinks.