Commenting on recent rumors that Intel would offer processors in BGA only 'soldered' packaging, AMD said it is committed to socketed CPUs and APUs. In an email to ZDNet, an AMD spokesperson said that the company has "a long history of supporting the do-it-yourself and enthusiast desktop market with socketed CPUs and APUs that are compatible with a wide range of motherboard products from our partners," and that this will continue through 2013 and 2014 with the "Kaveri" APU and FX CPU lines.

"We have no plans at this time to move to BGA [ball-grid array] only packaging and look forward to continuing to support this critical segment of the market," the spokesperson said.

AMD also offers a BGA-packaged processors for devices such as ultrathin notebooks and all-in-one desktops.

Processors in desktop systems are generally fitted into a socket on the motherboard that allows them to be removed and replaced, while systems such as notebooks and tablets have the CPU soldered onto the motherboard.