The hits just keep on coming for Intel. AMD’s Epyc chips are gobbling up market share in data centers while Intel’s desktop chips are frying themselves after years of being stuck on a stalled architecture.

A potential deal to buy Intel could accelerate Qualcomm's diversification but will burden the smartphone chipmaker with a loss-making semiconductor manufacturing unit that it may struggle to turn around or sell,

The embattled chip giant has become a takeover target in recent days, but the tough act of separating the pros from the cons makes a takeover unlikely.