Intel... What the HECK are you DOING?? - WAN Show June 26, 2020

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on three major stories: Intel’s controversial benchmark slides and the hosts’ broader rant about misuse of “real-world” performance claims, Twitch’s permanent ban of Dr. Disrespect amid platform accountability concerns, and Microsoft’s decision to shut all physical retail stores. The show also covers Mixer’s shutdown and creator migration, and briefly touches on GPU/Windows updates, Steam sales, and sponsor reads.

Main Topics: Intel benchmark controversy and selective real-world messaging (Priority: 5/5): The hosts criticize Intel’s slides for comparing mismatched laptops/GPU configs and for cherry-picking obscure applications while dismissing benchmarks like Cinebench. They argue Intel’s messaging damages its credibility and unfairly taints accurate technical explanations about process nodes and real-world performance. Twitch banning Dr. Disrespect and platform responsibility (Priority: 5/5): They discuss the reported permanent Twitch ban of Dr. Disrespect, noting no confirmed reason but speculating it may reflect broader platform efforts to enforce partner accountability and protect brand image amid Twitch’s own PR crisis. Mixer shutdown and creator platform migration (Priority: 4/5): Microsoft’s closure of Mixer is framed as a failure of the platform despite expensive talent deals. The hosts debate where creators like Ninja and Shroud might go next—Twitch, YouTube, or possibly elsewhere—and whether deplatforming trauma will push them toward stability over money. Microsoft permanently closes physical retail stores (Priority: 4/5): The discussion explains Microsoft’s move away from retail as a sign that online, support-driven, and experiential digital models are more viable than maintaining costly physical stores, especially given limited Microsoft hardware ecosystem pull outside Xbox. GPU/Windows and driver updates (Priority: 2/5): A shorter segment highlights NVIDIA’s DirectX 12 Ultimate and hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling support, plus a Windows update that exposes GPU temperature in Task Manager, presented as practical quality-of-life improvements for PC users. Sponsor reads and platform/community updates (Priority: 2/5): The episode includes long sponsor segments for Anchor, Moss, and Vessi, plus a discussion of Floatplane’s sustainability, its viewer support, and its ambiguous identity compared with major platforms.

Key Arguments: Intel’s slides were misleading because they compared non-equivalent laptops and GPU configurations, making the performance claims questionable even if the margins were technically possible. Real-world performance matters more than synthetic benchmarks, but Intel is wrongly weaponizing that truth to justify cherry-picked applications that most users do not actually use. Process-node claims are not as simple as nanometer numbers; node differences do not alone determine performance because architecture and process optimization matter. Twitch and other platforms are increasingly responsible for how partner behavior reflects on their brand, so a ban can be as much about image management as punishment. Mixer failed because buying star streamers did not create platform-wide growth; audience concentration around a few names did not solve the ecosystem problem. Creators who depend on a platform can be psychologically and financially damaged by deplatforming, which may make them choose less profitable but more stable options later. Microsoft stores lacked a compelling enough ecosystem story and likely could not justify the overhead, making a shift to online/video support sensible. Floatplane can scale viewer count, but its creator-side infrastructure and unclear identity still limit how it competes with major platforms.

Data Points: Intel gaming claim margin: up to 18% to 23% better - Intel slide deck comparing 10th-gen Core mobile chips against AMD Ryzen mobile chips GPU clock comparison: 1560 MHz vs 1185 MHz - Host calculated the max-P Intel GPU clock versus the max-Q AMD/ASUS slide example GPU clock increase: 31.6% - Difference between 1560 MHz and 1185 MHz was used to question Intel’s frame-rate claims GPU power comparison: 65W vs 90W - The AMD system used a 65-watt GPU while the Intel system used a 90-watt GPU Intel vs AMD TDP difference: 10W lower TDP for AMD processor - Mentioned while discussing the mobile CPU comparison slide Mixer year-over-year growth: 0.2% - Compared with other gaming platforms to show Mixer’s stagnation before shutdown Facebook Gaming year-over-year growth: 138% - Used to illustrate why Facebook Gaming outpaced Mixer YouTube Gaming year-over-year growth: 65% - Shown in a platform growth chart during discussion of Mixer’s collapse Twitch year-over-year growth: almost 100% - Shown in a platform growth chart during discussion of live-streaming competition Ninja Mixer contract: $20–30 million - Estimated value of Ninja’s exclusivity deal with Mixer Facebook Gaming signup bonus: $2,500 - Reported bonus for Mixer partners joining Facebook Gaming Creator program and staying 90 days Microsoft retail stores closed: 83 worldwide - The company announced it would permanently close all physical retail stores Microsoft retail stores in U.S.: 72 - Majority of Microsoft’s stores were in the United States Microsoft retail stores in Canada: 7 - Stores mentioned in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario VLC popularity: 21.27% - Used in Intel’s slide on common PC application usage OBS popularity: 5% - Used in Intel’s slide on common PC application usage Outlook popularity: 17.6% - Used in Intel’s slide on common PC application usage Steam sale example: Civ 6 for $15 CAD (host said he paid $80 CAD) - A brief aside about the Steam Summer Sale and price protection

Pivotal Quotes: "you’re either evil or stupid at this point. Those are the only two options." — Luke / host commentary: Reaction to Intel’s benchmark slide choices and perceived manipulation "real-world performance matters." — Host: Core argument about CPU buying decisions and benchmarks "if it could be considered misleading to say to a customer, you should never say it to anyone." — Host: Advice about how companies should present partner-facing marketing claims

Implications: The episode warns brands that selective benchmarks, vague partner messaging, and poor disclosure can permanently damage trust. It also suggests creator economies are consolidating around a few major platforms, while digital-first support and retail reduction are becoming the norm.