Confused about which chipset you should choose out of AMD and Intel?
If you’re looking to purchase a new computer, and have the choice between an AMD or Intel CPU, then there are some things that you should know first.
The truth is that both of these companies offer high-quality products with different strengths and weaknesses. However, if you don’t know what those differences are then it can be hard to make the right decision.
But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.
Keep reading because, in this guide, we will cover everything that you need to know about AMD vs Intel chipsets so that you can make the best decision for your needs.
Let’s get started!
What Is An AMD Chipset?
An AMD chipset is typically used in a desktop computer and is designed for gamers or power users. AMD chipsets are known for their excellent performance and overclocking abilities.
What Is An Intel Chipset?
Intel chipsets are typically used in a laptop or notebook computer. They are known for their low power consumption and small size. Intel chipsets also include more features than AMD chipsets, such as support for WiDi (Wireless Display).
Now that we know the basics, let’s take a look at some of the specific differences between AMD and Intel CPUs:
Why Do We recommend The Intel Evo Platform?
Intel chipsets are known to dominate the market. They have a much higher market share than their competitors and can be found in over 80% of desktop computers. The main reason for this is that Intel’s cheaper chipset often outperforms their competition’s flagship product.
You can learn more about the Intel Evo Platform here.
The AMD vs Intel debate has been going on for decades, but I will not delve into that subject since it is already well documented elsewhere. Today we’re going to discuss the differences between Intel and AMD chipset products so you can decide which platform would suit your needs best. If you want a detailed comparison of the two CPU manufacturers, take a look at this article.
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Price
Intel generally wins here, offering cheaper CPU options which make sense because they provide more performance across the board. Of course, we do need to note that AMD does offer some excellent value-for-money solutions too (such as the Ryzen line).
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Size
Intel CPUs are generally smaller than AMD CPUs. This is because the RAM and other components are directly soldered to the motherboard, whereas an AMD CPU has a separate slot for its RAM modules.
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Ease Of Overclocking
AMD chipsets are typically easier to overclock than Intel chipsets. If you’re into overclocking your CPU, then you’ll probably want to go with AMD.
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Maximum Clock Speed
Intel chipsets have a higher maximum clock speed than AMD chipsets. For example, the popular Intel Core i7-4770K has a base clock speed of 3.5GHz while the AMD FX-8350 only has a base clock speed of 4GHz. However, when it comes to actual CPU performance in games or other real-world applications, the difference is often negligible.
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Graphics
Intel CPUs come with integrated graphics while AMD CPUs do not. This means that Intel CPUs can run games and other graphical applications without the need for a separate graphics card.
This is where Intel really shines. If you’re looking for a chipset with integrated graphics, Intel is the clear winner.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
AMD CPUs typically have a higher Thermal Design Power (TDP) than Intel CPUs. This means that they generate more heat when running and are therefore not as suitable for laptops or notebooks.
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IPC (Instructions Per Clock)
Intel CPUs generally have a higher IPC than AMD CPUs. This means that they can execute more instructions per clock cycle, resulting in better performance overall.
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Supported Technologies
Intel chipsets support technologies like Wireless Display (WiDi), vPro, and Trusted Execution Technology which is typically not supported by AMD chipsets.
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Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Intel CPUs have an integrated graphics processing unit while AMD CPUs do not. This means that Intel CPUs can run games and other graphical applications without the need for a separate graphics card. However, if you want to take full advantage of your CPU’s capabilities, then it might be better to pair it with a dedicated GPU.
When it comes to computational power, AMD CPUs typically have a higher number of computational cores than Intel CPUs. For example, the AMD FX-8350 has eight cores whereas the Intel Core i5-4430 only has four. However, this isn’t always the case as it depends on which CPU you’re looking at and whether they support Hyperthreading.
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Price Per Core
AMD CPUs have a lower price per core than Intel CPUs. For example, an Intel i3-4130 costs around $115 whereas an AMD FX-6300 costs almost half as much at around $60.
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Number Of Cores
AMD CPUs typically have more cores than Intel CPUs. For example, the AMD FX-8350 has eight cores whereas the Intel Core i5-4430 only has four. However, this isn’t always the case as it depends on which CPU you’re looking at and whether they support Hyperthreading.
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Maximum Clock Speed Per Core
Intel CPUs typically have a higher maximum clock speed per core than AMD CPUs. For example, an AMD FX-8350 has a maximum single-core speed of 4GHz while an Intel Core i7-4770K has a maximum single-core speed of 3.9GHz. However, when it comes to actual CPU performance in games or other real-world applications, the difference is often negligible.
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Manufacturing Process
Intel CPUs are typically manufactured using a 14nm process while AMD CPUs use a 32nm process. This means that Intel CPUs are typically smaller, consume less power, and have a higher maximum clock speed.
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Memory Support
Intel CPUs support more memory types than AMD CPUs. For example, Intel chipsets support both DDR3 and DDR4 while AMD chipsets only support DDR3.
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Overclocking Potential
AMD CPUs are better at overclocking than Intel CPUs. This means that you can get more power for your money if you buy an AMD CPU vs. buying a comparable model made by Intel. As an example, the FX-8350 has a base clock speed of 4GHz and costs around $220 vs. the i5-3330 with a base clock speed of 3.2GHz and a price tag of around $190.
However, Intel CPUs can be overclocked to match the performance of some AMD CPUs.
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I/O Options
When it comes to I/O (input/output) options, AMD falls short of its competitor. Intel offers more SATA III ports, USB 3.0 ports and generally provides more features in this area.
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BIOS
AMD has typically been better when it comes to BIOS updates. They are more reliable, come out faster, and tend to be less problematic.
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CPU Cooler Mounting
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer; Intel’s CPU coolers mount on the motherboard using push-pins, whereas AMD uses screws. It’s not that one is necessarily better than the other, it’s just that some people might find one easier to use than the other.
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Chipset Features
As previously mentioned, you’ll need an Intel chipset to use an Intel CPU. With AMD, this is not always the case; some of their CPUs can work with both AMD and Intel chipsets.
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Performance
If you’re looking for ultimate performance in your computer, look no further than Intel. Although they do cost more money, their processors are faster across the board compared to any offerings from AMD (including Ryzen). This might change in the future though
The Difference Between Mobile Core i7 Processor, Core i5 Processor, and Core i3 Processor.
The main difference between the best Intel CPU and the best AMD CPU and a GPU is that a CPU is mainly used for general computing tasks such as word processing, browsing the internet, and streaming media. GPUs are mainly used for graphical tasks such as gaming and video editing. However, CPUs can also be used for some graphical tasks such as 3D rendering.
Another difference between CPUs and GPUs is that CPUs have many cores while GPUs typically have just a few. This means that CPUs can handle more tasks at once than GPUs. This means greater laptop performance.
GPUs also tend to have more powerful graphics processors than CPUs. This makes them better suited for tasks that require heavy graphics processing, such as gaming.
Finally, CPUs are typically smaller in size than GPUs. This makes them better suited for use in devices with limited space, such as laptops.
Want to Learn More About AMD and Intel?
As you can see, there are some major differences between AMD and Intel chipsets. So which one is better for you? It depends on what you need your PC to do. If you’re into overclocking and performance, then Intel chipsets might be the right choice for you. However, if the price is more important than performance, then AMD chipsets might be a better option.
Don’t forget to check out our blog for more articles on the best computer hardware!
