Originally Posted by
onewingedangel
I think as a market, enthusiasts don't really care about cpu's maintaining a 65w tdp as long as tdp levels remain acceptable.
Even the 130w fx-74 can be kept cool with simple heatsink and fan, the main problem with that is that its competition has twice the number of cores and better performance with the same power consumption due to the dual socket nature of 4x4 (260w for 2 x3.0ghz amd dualcores versus 110w for quadcore QX6800)
The only reason we prefer lower tdp's is to keep a processor within an acceptable tdp when overclocked.
If intel released a 95w 4ghz quadcore, there would still be 'acceptable' headroom for overclocking.
65w tdp's appeal more to system integrators as it means they can cut costs on power supply, cooling, and allows them to make smaller, more attractive computers for the retail market.
If TDP's really bothered people do you think a single HD2900 would get sold?