If you take a look back at the microprocessor industry, and more specifically the battles between Intel and AMD over the last few years, you see that a see-saw pattern of enthusiast market dominance tends to emerge.

We see either Intel or AMD on top for a while, then due to an ambitious product launch or manufacturing delay, the reigning king is usually dethroned and the cycle starts over. The enthusiast segment is the cream of the crop for both companies, and although there isn’t a lot of volume in $999 processors, bragging rights that your’s are the fastest in the world provides marketing leverage that cannot be purchased.

Enthusiast.HardOCP