AMD has not been identified as having exposure to the new Spectre-NG flaws exposed more recently in Intel processors. This is incredibly important as AMD ramps its EPYC products into the data center.
AMD Not Affected By New Spectre-NG Flaws
We recently reported that new flaws were found in the Intel processor architecture in early May. These were different than the first set of Spectre and Meltdown flaws found in January.
While the recent reports in early May only cited Intel, it was not clear if AMD was exposed as well. So we asked AMD. They said, as of now, they know of no exposure to the new Spectre-NG risks.
EPYC Ramp This Year
AMD was planning on achieving 5% server market share by Q4. Many cloud/hyperscaler companies are currently knee deep in qualifying AMD chips. Q1's Meltdown and Spectre scares probably slowed down that process. The news at the time affected both AMD and Intel.
This time the news is different. AMD has not been mentioned with Intel as having exposure to the new security flaws.
The hyperscaler decision process is now influenced by the recent news that Intel is affected yet AMD is not. That encourages customers to more seriously consider a second source to hedge against their Intel exposure.
Supporting AMD by purchasing their products helps strengthen AMD's road map should customers need that second source down the road.
The product road map is so critical to these customers as they think about their technology needs several years down the road. Not supporting AMD now risks their future in the face of more revealed security flaws at their sole-source Intel.
The psychological impact on CTOs as they consider AMD in the face of more Intel news, helps the EPYC ramp in its key time period.
Conclusion
Earnings reports from AMD, Intel and NVIDIA all showed the data center market on fire.All players can win.This years has extra importance to AMD as they attempt to get their foot in the door to establish a firm presence in the data center. AMD's dodge of the recent Spectre-NG flaw news can help them achieve their 5% market share goal, or maybe more this year.
