Actually, Intel is trying to push their CPUs using total wattage instead of procesor speed (since they lost on that front). AMD is following suit so as to not be cast in a negative light.
SO, we may eventually be able to use sane amounts of juice to run our rigs... once the GPUs fall into line. Until then, "Fire up another nuclear reactor, boys! The Green and the Red are bringin' out their new line-up..."