Intel or AMD: The Better Processor

Both are American multinational technology companies manufacturing semiconductor chips. Both were founded around the same time. Both have global business operations and both are avid competitors on the world stage.

One is named Intel Corporation and the other is Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., commonly known as AMD. Producing semiconductor chips that develop computer processors and related technologies, both these companies compete within the same market space vying for the same customers. Here’s a brief history of these companies and a look at their business operations to determine who is better with their products.

Origins & Expansions
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Origins & Expansions

Intel Corporation

It was the year 1968 when Gordon E. Moore, a chemist, and Robert Noyce, a physicist and a co-inventor of the integrated circuit, founded Intel in Mountain View, California. A venture capitalist and investor, Arthur Rock extended help by finding investors and Max Palevsky was on the board from the early days.

Intel was distinguished from the very beginning by its ability to make logic circuits using semiconductor devices. The main aim of the founders of the company was the semiconductor memory market, which was then, widely predicted to replace magnetic-core memory. Working towards this, the company experimented with various products, finally producing the first commercial metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor silicon gate SRAM chip, the 256-bit 101. The company created its first commercially available microprocessor in the year 1971 and the first microcomputers in the year 1973. Intel also opened its first international manufacturing unit in the year 1972 in Malaysia followed by opening assembly facilities and semiconductor plants in Singapore and Jerusalem in the early 1980s. In the early 1990s, it opened manufacturing and development centers in China, India, and Costa Rica.

The growing success of IBM personal computers that was based on the intel microprocessor prompted the company to shift focus to the microprocessor business which proved to be a huge factor in the company’s continuing success. However, challenges and obstacles greeted Intel at the turn of the century. AMD emerged as a strong competitor to Intel, challenging its dominant market position. Over the years, through various other products and refocusing on its core business, Intel has tried to regain its previous market leader position. AMD has succeeded in challenging Intel by providing stiff market competition.

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Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

AMD was incorporated in the year 1969 by Jerry Sanders, an electrical engineer, and a group of other technology professionals. The company initiated its business operations by becoming a second source supplier of microchips that were designed by Fairchild Semiconductor and National Semiconductor and focused on producing logic chips. AMD entered the RAM chip market in 1971 and following its success went public in 1972. It also entered the microprocessor market in 1975 with a product that was almost an exact copy of the Intel microprocessor. By that year, AMD was producing a total of 212 products – 49 of which were proprietary.

A business agreement with IBM by Intel, led Intel and AMD to enter into a 10-year technology exchange agreement in 1981, stating that either company could become a second source manufacturer of semiconductor products developed by the other. Then in the year 1991, it introduced its AMD-designed chip and began to compete directly with Intel.

AMD survived the dot-com bubble and has traveled a winding road, facing many challenges and obstacles, and emerged successful. In the year 2021, it announced a partnership with Meta to make the chips used in the Metaverse. The year 2022 saw AMD enter into a partnership with Samsung to develop a mobile processor to be used in future products.

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Over the years, AMD has emerged as a major player in the processor market and the big war is between Intel and AMD. In a consumer-centric market, tough competition means a broader choice for the customers. What this essentially comes down to is a comparison between the two products and their performance on various fronts.

CPU Performance

The 13^th-gen line of CPUs from Intel offers the best value for money which is a strong pull for consumers. However, AMD’s latest Zen-based processor is the most powerful consumer-grade chip, even if it is a little expensive. AMD’s chip is most valuable for users using advanced 3D rendering software. The more affordable from AMD’s offering is the AMD Ryzen 77700X, although, its performance in comparison with Intel Core i7-12700K is not up to the mark. Intel is currently set to dominate the mid-market with the release of its Intel Core i7-13700K.

The Number’s Game

Both companies were founded by ex-employees of Fairchild Semiconductor. However, Intel began stronger and successfully bagged IBM as a client for supplying microprocessors for their first personal computers. After that, it cemented its position as a market leader through various innovative products and became a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate and an undisputed market leader. Intel also has a much stronger revenue stream and higher R&D budgets.

AMD, on the other hand, did begin strong and began competing with Intel but faced numerous challenges and obstacles through the years. By 2010, the company had fallen far behind Intel and had to go back to the drawing board with renewed focus. This move proved a turning point for them and their new Zen architecture has given Intel a run for their money.

Cost

In the earlier days, AMD’s products were much lower priced than that of Intel, although, the difference is negligible these days. However, the cost of a technology product goes much deeper than the money count. AMD’s CPUs, although costlier, offer cross-generational compatibility that integrates seamlessly with the latest hardware. Intel products have not always been so adaptable, which results in a higher expense, eventually. Also, AMD offers more energy-efficient products than Intel.

Laptop Performance

AMD has begun challenging the laptop CPU market, which was, until now, Intel dominated. Both these companies offer great laptop CPUs. It rather depends on the user which CPU would suit best, based on the kind of use of the laptop.

Conclusion

While both companies are neck-to-neck with their product offerings, both Intel and AMD CPUs have differing uses. Intel makes the best CPUs for the average everyday user. However, users with high-end workstations would benefit better from AMD CPUs. While scouting for CPUs, users should keep in mind their usage for deciding the best product.

FAQs

When was Intel founded?

Gordon E. Moore and Robert Noyce founded Intel in 1968.

When was AMD founded?

AMD was incorporated in the year 1969 by Jerry Sanders and a group of other technology professionals.

When did Intel create its first microprocessor?

Intel created its first commercially available microprocessor in the year 1971 and the first microcomputer in the year 1973.