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The battle between AMD and Intel to produce the best computer processor is one of the longest-running rivalries in the tech world. They constantly push each other’s limits, advancing the overall efficiency and performance of computers. The battle for supremacy has also led to the production of faster and more affordable CPUs.
Although Intel held its supremacy with its Intel Core processors for the longest time, AMD returned strong with its Ryzen series. If you are purchasing a personal laptop, gaming PC, or assembling a custom system, you need to know which one has the better processor, AMD or Intel. This article aims to do just that.
How to Compare Processors?
Before comparing AMD and Intel to learn which is better, you should understand important aspects to consider. They are:
1. Number of cores
The core is the CPU’s processor, while in the beginning a processor only had one core, today processors have multiple cores that can handle and execute instructions separately. This is how features like multitasking are achieved. The more the cores, the processor can ideally have better efficiency.
2. Threads
Threads are the virtual sequence of instructions that allow a single core to execute multiple functions at the same time. A CPU with multiple threads is more efficient in multitasking and handling interruptions.
3. Base clock frequency
The frequency of the base clock in a processor essentially conveys the speed at which the processor can operate in normal conditions. CPUs with a higher base frequency can process tasks fast.
4. CPU Cache
The cache is a smaller and faster memory that is located on the motherboard near the processor. It is used to store frequently used data and facilitate faster executions of frequently used applications.
5. TDP (Thermal Design Power)
Thermal Design Power is the measure of power consumed by the components of a computer at the maximum theoretical load. Higher TDP values are usually associated with processors with better performance. However, it can consume more power which may reduce the battery life of a laptop.
AMD vs Intel Processors Comparison
Now we understand that are the most AMD and Intel produce a range of processors simultaneously for different uses including gaming, content creation, office use, and more. While high-end processors used for gaming and content creation can be costly, they also offer budget-friendly options for regular personal use and basic office uses.
Here is a head-to-head comparison of various Intel and AMD processors:
Budget Friendly: AMD Ryzen 3 vs Intel Core i3
If you are looking for a computer that can perform decently and does not cost gobs of money, then AMD’s Ryzen series and Intel’s Core i3 series are some of the best choices. They are ideal if you are looking for a regular PC for usual tasks such as accessing sheets and docs, browsing, video streaming, video calls, social media, and light gaming.
Here is what you get with the processors:
| Specs | Intel Core i3 12100 | AMD Ryzen 3 3300X |
| Cores/threads | 4/8 | 4/8 |
| Base clock frequency | 3.3 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost clock frequency | 4.3 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Cache | 12 MB | 18 MB |
| TDP | 60 W | 65 W (upto 89W MTP) |
Most popular: AMD Ryzen 5 vs Intel i5
The AMD Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 are the most popular choices for everyday tasks as well as gaming. It performs well and still is an affordable option for an average user. They can be ideal for web browsing, productivity applications, light gaming, content creation, 4K video playback, and virtualization.
Here are the processors in numbers:
| Specifications | Intel Core i5 – 12600K | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| Cores/threads | 10/16 | 6/12 |
| Base clock frequency | 3.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock frequency | 4.9 GHz | 4.6 GHz |
| Cache | 29.5 MB | 35 MB |
| TDP | 125 W (150W MTP) | 65W |
Workstations: AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel i7
The AMD Ryzen 7 Intel Core i7 are high-end processor used by computer enthusiasts, professional programmers, and designers. They can handle complex tasks and multitask more efficiently than the above-mentioned processors. They can perform high-powered computations such as CAD, 3D, graphics, architecture, and more, making them a good choice for workstations.
| Specifications | Intel Core i7 – 12700K | AMD Ryzen 5 5800X |
| Cores/threads | 12/20 | 8/16 |
| Base clock frequency | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost clock frequency | 5.0 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Cache | 37 MB | 36 MB |
| TDP | 125 W (190W MTP) | 105W |
Also Read: Intel Shows Off New 80-Core Processor
High-End Gaming: AMD Ryzen 9 vs Intel Core i9
The Ryzen 9 and Core i9 series are the most high-end consumer-grade processors available today. They can process higher frame rates and enhance the gaming experience. Since they can handle CPU-intensive games seamlessly, they are the preferred processors for gaming.
They have a higher number of cores and better clock speeds that are crucial for cutting download times and running multiple applications simultaneously.
Let’s compare the specifications of AMD Ryzen 9 and Intel Core i9:
| Specifications | Intel Core i9 – 12900K | AMD Ryzen 9 5950X |
| Cores/threads | 16/24 | 16/32 |
| Base clock frequency | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| Boost clock frequency | 5.2 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Cache | 44 MB | 72 MB |
| TDP | 125 W (1241W MTP) | 105W |
These are just some of the most popular processors that Intel and AMD produce, there are numerous other processors we have not mentioned in this article. However, the above comparison table is enough to discern the differences between Intel and AMD processors.
AMD Vs Intel Processor: Winner
If we are purely looking at things from a technical standpoint, the best processors are the ones that have the highest performance speed. By this logic, as seen above Intel has the fastest and highest-performing processors in each genre. This is also reflected in detail as well, which is why we see more laptops and computers powered by Intel rather than Ryzen.
However, the distance between AMD and Intel on the road to be the best processor is not too long. AMD is just a couple of steps behind in some regards, but they compensate it by offering better multi-thread performance especially the Ryzen 9 and Ryzen 7 series come very close to rivaling the dominance of Intel.
Moreover, AMD’s processors are generally regarded to be more power efficient than Intel processors, which is one of the important factors to consider when selecting a laptop.
AMD Vs Intel: What To Choose?
Purely considering the specifications, Intel produces faster, and high performing processors than AMD. However, you might not see the difference if you are using the PC for everyday tasks such as browsing through social media and websites, streaming music and videos, and basic office use.
However, if you are a heavy gamer it is better to choose Intel Core i7 or i9 series. It has a strong single-thread performance. So, the PC can take advantage of them for CPU-intensive gaming applications in most scenarios.
That being said, AMD is better at multitasking. So if the primary use of your PC is multithread tasks such as editing and content creation, where you need to open multiple tabs at a time, AMD comes off as the better choice.
AMD Vs Intel: Affordability
When choosing a processor, affordability also plays a major role. Historically, AMD has always stood for offering processors at highly competitive pricing. Their pricing strategy of offering the best value for money is what made them one of the pioneering corporations in the first place. Usually, AMD processors have more cores and threads at a given price range than what Intel offers.
When we come to the pricing strategy of Intel, they have always been a bit pricy than AMD historically. However, we have seen a big shift in recent years with Intel’s aggressive pricing strategy aimed at competing with AMD. For example, the Intel Core i9 12900KF is starting from $282.99, whereas the Ryzen 9 590 X is starting at $349.00.
Other Factors To Consider
Yes, the processors are the most important parts of a computer that dictate the speed and performance of the computer. However, the performance can dramatically vary with various other factors such as the type of storage, graphics card, RAM, and even the Operating System used. Make sure that you have enough RAM, fast graphics cards, SSD storage, and the latest version of the operating system to ensure better performance from your PC.
Explore More: RAM Vs. ROM: Decoding Smartphone Memory
Conclusion
AMD and Intel are the two biggest players in the PC processor-producing industry. They produce processors at a wide range of price range, offering something for all types of PC users including casual users, gamers, programmers, and content creators.
In this article, we have done a head-to-head comparison with the most popular processors from AMD and Intel to learn which one is the best. According to the specifications, it is safe to say that Intel has an upper hand at gaming and laptop computers. Whereas, AMD multithread operations are better for video editing and CPU-intense multitasking.
