I don't believe Intel needs competition at the high end to keep them on their toes... more like to keep their prices from being RIDICULOUS... (read QX9775) I believe ever since intel got caught with it pants around it's ankles back in the PrescHOTt days, it learnt it's lesson and no longer rests on it's laurels. However With competitive HIGH end AMD CPUs, we'd at least get better pricing. Intel has been hitting their targets with excellent execution. They are on their toes, just not with our pockets in mind XD