its not though. They are selling old hardware at what would be a loss on a desktop machine. Again, it's specilized in physical layout but not in processor level structure, like an ASIC is. Its like ordering a custom motherboard or desktop case with ports, lights and fans in the places you want them.

This is not what an asic is. Asics are a specific non arbitrarily defined category of hardware. Not semantics. You are handwaving away a precise distinction through semantics, not me.

The X5 does not meet this criteria, it does not beat the desktop versions or defeat the intention of Randomx as it is competing fairly with every other desktop solo user with a thread ripper.

a fleet of X5's, for instance, would not create more of an advantage for a mining operation, the way only fleets of asics can now compete in the adjusted difficultybin bitcoin.

Whether twenty large X5 fleets are mining or none, the average user can contribute to the network and win kyc-free xmr's.This is the point of RX.

Let's suppose you were right, and X5's did give some economic advantage similar to asics. That means that up until now RX worked. Your position is tantamount to "life is meaningless, just give up". A defeatest Bitcoin maxi attitude is not surprising as your entire future value prop relies on the total collapse of modern civilization.

Its an arms race Bitcoin gave up on, but the Monero community is passionate about. Along with default privacy It's a very Cypherpunk ethos.