I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to CPU design/arch.
But it seems to me they may have just tried to incorporate too many things in one step...

New uArch, Gate first, HKMG on a relatively new process seems like alot to take on at once.
I'd sincerely hope this design was tested throughly before it was even taped out, the problem could lie anywhere.
Hopefully, if the performance isn't upto expectations on release it'll be a situation similar to the PHI/PHII and we'll see a
much improved version within the next year.... Not good, but AMD is small compared to Intel.

Reguardless, I'll buy one on release day if for no other reason than to play with OC'ing a new chip.....

And be greatful, that at least, all this crazy specultion has stopped!