AMD vs Intel Processors: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

The AMD vs Intel processors war has been raging on for well over a decade with no clear end in sight. As of the fourth quarter of 2021, Intel seems to have the edge with a 67.1% market share compared to AMD’s 38.1%. Things are looking up for intel, but AMD is pulling out all the stops to knock Intel from the top spot.

The biggest beneficiaries of the war between these two tech giants are we, the consumers. That’s because they give us powerful processors for our gaming, software, and design needs. While that’s great news, picking between the two processors can be a little daunting.

Both processors have their strengths and weaknesses, but none seems to have the edge over the other, which makes it super difficult to choose between the two. If this describes your predicament, worry not; we’re here to help.

Today, we’ll be comparing Intel and AMD processors to help you find which is the best computer processor.

The Performance

First, we’ll look at how the two processors stack up against each other in terms of performance. Both Intel and AMD never disappoint as a whole when it comes to performance. However, the performance you get depends on the type of chip you buy.

The type of chip that’s right for you depends on your multitasking needs and whether you’re an avid gamer. One downside of AMD processors is that not many of their CPUs feature integrated graphics. However, there are a couple with integrated graphics known as Accelerated processing units or APUs.

On the other hand, all Intel CPUs have integrated graphics chips with Intel HD and Iris graphics. Integrated graphics means the graphics processing unit (GPU) is a component of the processor. CPUs with integrated graphics use less power, translating to better battery life for laptops.

If you need an AMD CPU with integrated graphics, consider the AMD Athlon 240GE for around $80. It can handle low to mid-level games and video streaming seamlessly. The AMD Ryzen 3 is a tad costlier but guarantees much better performance.

On the intel side, the Core i5 and i7 will do fine for light gaming. However, if you want to play AAA games. You might have to get a separate GPU. The same applies to AMD processors, especially since they don’t have integrated graphics.

Intel recently released their Ice Lake and Coffee processors. Expect nothing less than stellar performance from these monstrosities.  They’re also looking to up the ante even further with the Tiger Lake processor that promises superior gaming and streaming experience.

The Price

Not everyone is comfortable spending a bundle on a CPU, but if you are, good for you. Thankfully, both Intel and AMD have different price points for their processors to suit different budgets. Still, is one company’s processors a little budget-friendlier?

A little while ago, AMD was the go-to option for pocket-friendly processors. However, the recent Ryzen line is almost the same and sometimes costs more than Intel CPUs. This doesn’t mean that you should prepare to spend an arm and a leg on your CPU.

On the affordable side of things, AMD has the Ryzen 3 3300X and Ryzen 3 3100. You can snag yourself one of these for a paltry $120 for the former. The Ryzen 3 3100 will set you back only $150.

On the other hand, Intel offers the Intel Core i3 and i5 series for $100 to $150. These processors can handle basic computing tasks but not heavy-duty games and apps. They’re perfect for the run-of-the-mill pocket-pincher.

With a mid-range budget, you can consider the AMD Ryzen 7, which will set you back about $350. Alternatively, you can get the intel core i7 for around $400. They are slightly better than the budget processors, but nothing to write home about.

If you have deep pockets, AMD and Intel also have processors for your budget. The Thread Ripper $3990X from AMD costs a whopping $3900. Intel is a bit lenient with their high-end processors, with Intel Cascade-X costing about $2000.

 The Specifications

We’re already mentioned that both AMD and Intel processors are incredibly powerful. However, the specifications of each will give us better insight into just how powerful they are. To do this, we’ll highlight the specs of one CPU from each brand.

The AMD Ryzen 3950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. This is great for general work software and light gaming needs. 4K gaming and HD streaming is a breeze with enough frame rates for seamless playing and viewing with no lagging.

It has 64 MB of cache and dual-channel memory support. This means you can use two RAM chips simultaneously for improved processing capability. Expect a minimum clock speed of about 3.5 GHz and a maximum of 4.7 GHz.

The Intel i9-9900K doesn’t have as many threads or cores as the Ryzen 3950X. However, each core from the Intel CPU is much stronger than the Ryzen’s core. That said, you should get about 3.6 GHz minimum clock speed and 5 GHz peak clock speed.

It’s also worth noting that AMD’s CPU uses more power than Intel’s CPU. The Ryzen 9 3950X uses 105 watts, while Intel’s i9-9900 uses 95 watts. However, the Ryzen CPU will outperform its counterpart by about half as much.

Heat and Power Consumption

Although most consumers don’t care much about power consumption or heat generation, it’s still worth mentioning.

One of the major differences between Intel and AMD chips is their architecture and lithography. This has a direct correlation with how much power each produces. Remember, higher power consumption equals higher heat generation.

AMD has a 7nm node, which is lesser compared to the intel 14 nm node. AMD processors with the 7nm node consume less power than Intel processors with 14nm nodes. However, many other factors influence each processor’s power consumption.

Customer and Technical Support

It’s not uncommon to encounter a few hurdles while installing or using your CPU. That’s why both companies offer convenient tech support for their customers. Customer support is also essential in case your orders don’t get fulfilled.

AMD has a web page where users can access both technical and customer support. You can get all the help you need from their dedicated support team. You can also download the latest drivers and files for your processors.

The page also offers warranty information and even spec sheet downloads. Navigation is easy with a dropdown menu that lets you pick your CPU type. The site then redirects you to a page where you can get all the downloads you need.

Like AMD, Intel has an entire tech support page to attend to their customers’ needs and queries. You can check out their blog posts to learn volumes about their CPUs and get answers to your questions. Spec sheets and the latest drivers are available for downloading on this page too.

What’s more, Intel offers live chat and calls for support. You can also download the Intel Support App on Google Play Store or the Apple store.

What Does the Future Hold?

It’s also important to compare these two processors on a futuristic front. What does the future hold for both processor giants? Let’s take a look.

AMD is concentrating on giving us more processing power to edge out the competition. That means we should expect more cores and threads from future AMD processors. This will translate to faster and much more efficient multitasking.

Intel just recently released their Tiger Lake line on September 2nd, 2021. For the future, Intel is adopting a fresh architecture road map and new chip technologies. It also plans to reintroduce a new chip-naming method for a complete revamp.

There’s not much we can say about the future of AMD and Intel, but it’s looking bright. All we have to do now is to wait and see.

Pros and Cons of AMD processors

Both Intel and AMD processors have their upsides and their downsides. Having a firm knowledge of their pros and cons will help you make a better buying decision.

Pros of Intel Processors

Intel processors boast a large chunk of the processor market share. Let’s look at a few reasons why they do:

Low Power Consumption

As mentioned earlier, Intel CPUs are less energy-intensive than AMD CPUs. This means they consume less power and won’t drain your laptop battery as fast as other processors. AMD CPUs may use as much as two times the power Intel processors use.

This translates to considerable savings for businesses running hundreds of computers simultaneously.

Heat Generation

Because Intel CPUs use less power, they don’t generate as much heat as AMD CPUs. Less heat means other computer components also remain cooler and last longer.

Compatibility

Intel CPUs are one of the most compatible CPUs on the market today. They’re compatible with most computer brands. They’re especially great with Lenovo laptops.

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Integrated Graphics

As mentioned earlier, Intel processors come with integrated graphics right out of the box. That means you don’t have to purchase a separate GPU for moderate gaming and HD video streaming.

Better Availability

Intel processors are widely available across the world. You don’t have to worry about the latest Intel processors going out of stock. With 25 CPU development plants, unavailability is something you don’t have to worry about.

Cons of Intel Processors

Despite the above benefits, Intel processors aren’t without their downsides. Some cons of Intel processors include:

Price

Some intel processors tend to tilt towards the pricey side. That’s why most PCs with Intel processors are somewhat expensive

Heat

Some of the high-end Intel processors tend to heat up and deteriorate more than AMD processors. This problem, however, is easily solvable by investing in an excellent cooling system.

Pros of AMD Processors

With Intel out of the way, let’s look at what makes AMD processors great and what makes them bad. Here are the pros of AMD processors.

Affordable

AMD processors are more pocket-friendly compared to AMD processors. That’s why PCs with AMD processors tend to be more affordable. If you’re cash-strapped, find an AMD processor that suits your needs.

Can Detect Malware

The Enhanced Virus Protection feature of most AMD processors protects the computer from malware. This makes for a bulletproof yet powerful PC.

Better Graphics

AMD processors tend to render graphics better than intel processors. Although AMD processors with integrated graphics are rare, they pack a serious punch. If you’re a serious gamer, an AMD processor will suit you best

Better for 64-Bit Applications

Running 64-bit applications is a breeze for AMD applications. AMD creates its processors to be better optimized for 64-bit programs. This means it can handle all the latest computer software.

Cons of AMD Processors

There are quite a few things that may make AMD the wrong choice for your processor needs. Some cons of AMD processors include:

Generates More Heat

Unlike Intel processors, AMD processors don’t have heat sinks to help dispel the heat. This means AMD processors generate more heat than Intel processors.

Not Multimedia-Oriented

AMD processors may not be ideal for video editing and other multimedia tasks. However, it’s a great choice for avid gamers, with some processors handling even AAA titles.

Less Famous

AMD is the lesser-known name in the processor industry. It’s not the first processor that comes to most people’s minds. However, this doesn’t make it any less good than Intel.

AMD vs Intel processors: Who Is the Best Computer Chip Maker?

When it comes to AMD vs Intel processors, the better one depends on your personal preferences. The information above should help you make a better decision whether to go with AMD or Intel processor. Ensure you do proper research before making a purchasing decision for the best results.

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