Content

The heart of a computer is called a processor, which is its main processing device. The part looks like a chipset and is responsible for computing processes. How to choose a processor for a computer is the most important question when buying equipment. The overall speed of the system largely depends on the performance of this part. In order not to regret your purchase, choose accessories based on their characteristics.

Main characteristics of the processor

1. Manufacturer. There are two main competitors for computer processors - AMD and Intel. The second firm is considered a leader in cutting edge technology. The main advantage of AMD over Intel is relatively low prices... Moreover, the production of the first is slightly inferior to the second in productivity (on average, by 10%), but the cost is 1.5-2 times lower.
2. What is CPU clock speed? This parameter determines how many operations the device can perform per second. What the processor frequency affects: a high indicator of this characteristic promises fast data processing by a computer. The parameter is considered one of the most important when choosing a device. How to find out the frequency in Windows: you need to open the properties menu on the My Computer icon with the right mouse button.
3. Number of Cores. This indicator affects the number of programs that can be run on a PC without losing its performance. Older computer models are equipped with quad-core or dual-core processors. New devices released in recent years have 6- and 8-core parts. However, if the software is optimized for a dual-core PC, more cores will not speed it up. On the part box, you can see the alphanumeric marking, the decoding of which will provide data on the number of cores.
4. Frequency system bus... The characteristic indicates the speed of streams of incoming or outgoing information. The higher the indicator, the faster the exchange of information.
5. Cache memory. An important role in the operation of the PC is played by the processor cache, which looks like a high-speed memory block. The part sits directly on the core and is needed to improve performance. Thanks to it, data processing is faster than in the case of RAM. There are 3 levels of cache memory - from L1 to L3. The first two have small volumes, but the third ones, which provide for a large capacity, are surely winning due to the speed of work.
6. Connector type (socket). This characteristic is not considered paramount, but it has a certain relevance when choosing a device. A socket is a "socket" in the motherboard that houses the processor, so it must be compatible with the part you choose. For example, if the socket is marked with AMZ, a corresponding connector on the motherboard is required. Latest models are equipped with modern types"Jacks" and often have improved characteristics (bus frequency and others).
7. Power consumption and cooling. Powerful modern devices have a negative impact on the power consumption of the computer. To avoid overheating of parts and their breakage, special fans (coolers) are used. To use the TDP indicator, which indicates the amount of heat required in the outlet. Based on this value, a specific model of the cooling system is selected.

How AMD differs from Intel

A frequently asked question among those who want to buy a processor is: "What is better AMD or Intel?" The main difference is the hyper-strength technology and the increased compute pipeline that Intel models have. Thanks to this, the devices perform a number of tasks faster: they archive files, perform video encoding, and perform other tasks. Parts from AMD are just as capable of the tasks listed, but they spend more time on it. Everyone determines for himself which processor is better than Intel or AMD.

To make your choice easier, check out the merits of the products from both manufacturers. Comparison of AMD and Intel processors:

Intel advantages	AMD advantages
High speed PC work	The optimum ratio of price and quality
Economical energy consumption	System stability
High gaming performance	Multitasking
Core i7 and i3 multithreading gives extra performance	The ability to speed up the work of processes by 5-20%
Perfectly tuned work with RAM	Multiplatform (the ability to assemble a PC from parts of different generations of AMD)

Which processor to choose for a computer

The answer to the question posed depends on the tasks that the PC will have to perform. So, when choosing a gaming computer, attention should be paid to the video card model, since the graphics adapter is responsible for supporting certain technologies and levels of performance in games. However, without a properly sized central processor, the video card will not reveal its potential. For working with other programs or using a PC in the office, less demanding parts are suitable.

For games

How to choose a processor for a gaming computer? There are a number of requirements for a "gaming" PC. The device must be able to handle at least four data streams. The test results proved that Intel technology Hyper-Treading increases the number of frames per second. Experts consider Intel Core i5 models optimal for a gaming PC. Parts from AMD show lower performance. If in the line from Intel 4-core devices cope with their tasks, then their competitors show the same result with 8-core counterparts. Which processor should you choose for gaming?

Top devices for games:

1. Intel Core-i5 Ivy bridge(quad core);
2. Intel Core i5-4440 Haswell (Quad Core);
3. AMD FX-8350 Vishera (eight-core).

For home or office use

Browsers and other programs necessary for office work require an impressive amount of RAM, but practically do not load HDD and processor. Therefore, it is better to choose a computer with a large amount of memory. However, processor performance should not be neglected either. According to the test results, models from the Intel Core i3 or i5 lines will be a good solution.

List of budget devices for the office:

• Intel Celeron G1820;
• AMD ATHLON II X2 255;
• AMD ATHLON II X4 750K;
• AMD A8-6600K.

For demanding programs

This category includes parts, the function of which is to ensure the fast operation of demanding programs, for example, video, graphic editors, etc. Devices of this type are expensive components and are distinguished by maximum performance. This category of processors is often of interest to gamers who want to achieve best quality images during the game.

Overview best devices for demanding programs:

• AMD FX-8350 (8-core) Ideal for games and other programs designed for. Differs in speed and reasonable price.
• Intel i7-4770 (4-core). Runs games at the highest possible settings, works quickly, ideally optimized for Intel graphics cards.

Ranking of the best PC processors of 2019

1. Intel Core i7-990x. Ideal for a gaming PC last generation... The device is designed for socket 1366, is equipped with 6 cores, has a frequency of 3.46 GHz and 12 megabytes of cache memory. Estimated cost: 38,000 rubles.
2. Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. One of the most popular models. Equipped with 6 cores, has 15 MB cache and 3.5 GHz clock speed. Works great with any new demanding games and programs. Estimated cost: 46,000 rubles.
3. Intel Core i5-4690K. An inexpensive model will show excellent results in terms of performance. Compared to other devices, the i5-4690K stands out due to its value for money. The processor is equipped with a third-level cache memory, has a 3.5 GHz clock speed and 4 cores. Estimated cost: 22,000 rubles.
4. AMD FX-9370. The most powerful AMD processor has a new AM3 + socket and 8 cores, developing a maximum frequency of up to 4.4 GHz. The model is equipped with 8 MB of cache memory, which allows you to improve the performance of your PC and use any programs and games. Estimated cost: 20-22,000 rubles.
5. Intel Xeon E3-1230 v3. The quad-core device belongs to the fourth generation of Intel processors. It is equipped with a socket type 1150, which is considered the best among the existing ones. The clock speed of the Xeon E3-1230 v3 is 3.3 GHz, the cache memory is 8 MB. Estimated cost: 22,000 rubles.

2015 Processor Test Table

To understand how to choose a processor for your computer, you should read the results of their testing. The devices are tested based on Windows 7 (64-bit). For this, certain programs are selected to unleash the potential of multithreading, to determine if there is support for AMD Turbo CORE (dynamic overclocking) and Intel Turbo Boost Technology, whether it is possible to use new SIMDs. The test results are expressed as a percentage of the performance of the fastest existing device, having a 100% result.

Summary table of processor performance:

Name	Result
Intel Core i7-5930K BOX
Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme
Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme BOX
Intel Core i7-5820K BOX
Intel Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7-4790K BOX
Intel Core i7-4790
Intel Core i7-4790 BOX
Intel Core i7-4820K BOX
Intel Xeon E3-1240 V2
Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2

If you want to buy a processor, you should study its characteristics. For example, in the pursuit of frequency, many forget about the peculiarities of the kernel of a particular manufacturer, which negatively affects the performance of the computer. To remain satisfied with your purchase, you need to consider the parameters of the device and its compatibility with other parts. Find out how to choose the right processor for your computer by watching this video.

Found a mistake in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we'll fix it!

Both AMD and Intel are suitable for modern games, these brands have lines of powerful processors that have almost the same characteristics in the same price segments.

The classic debate about which processor to prefer Intel or AMD is even more animated when it comes to the gaming configuration of a computer system. These two companies are in their own way giants of the computer industry, so it is rather difficult to single out a leader among them.

Spending quite an impressive amount to buy a powerful processor for a gaming PC, the user has the right to demand from him the appropriate return. In the end, in many respects it will depend on the processor how "smoothly" games will start and work. The debate about which solution is better can be boiled down to two main points:

• analogues have similar characteristics, but at the same time they can differ in price;
• how much higher price a person is willing to pay for higher productivity.

AMD or Intel for gaming? Which processor is the best for a gaming computer?

CPU clock speed

Majority modern processors from Intel, including the Intel Core i7, are clocked at 2.70 to 3.60 GHz. Likewise, most AMD processors are clocked at around 4.5 GHz. As you can see, the speed in the top lines of processors from both manufacturers is very high, which can cover the shortcomings of each processor performance architecture, it all boils down to the fact that the clock frequency does not affect the same as, for example, a few years ago.

Processor cost

Of course, AMD unconditionally wins in this respect, its models are cheaper and more affordable than their competitors. AMD FX processors start at $ 100 and are good for gaming.

Currently, you can choose the AMD FX-6300 or FX-6350, which costs about $ 120, which is about 15% cheaper than the Intel i3 counterpart, which means you can build a budget gaming computer based on it. After the $ 150 budget is exceeded, Intel solutions tend to become more attractive because they have higher performance, but there is always an exception to the rule. In fact, similar performance in AMD and Intel games is accompanied by a similar price, which very rarely fluctuates.

The difference in price often convinces the layman that the more expensive the better. But not everything is so simple, some users notice that performance should be sufficient, not redundant. And I must admit that for most tasks, the performance of processors in the middle segment will be quite enough. So is it worth paying large amount sometimes 2 times more, for the power, which will be unclaimed. In this regard, it is a matter of prospect and financial security of the buyer.

Some users choose a more budgetary option, as its performance will be sufficient for games, while others prefer to fork out for a more eminent and powerful product... Usually AMD is the leader in the middle price segment, but this is not a rule either.

Integrated (built-in) video adapter

The video card is of great importance in the gaming configuration of the computer, directly affecting the quality of the graphics. Of course, the integrated video adapter does not matter in modern high-performance games, but for budget savings and casual games, it will be that not to eat up the best option.

It is worth noting that 75% of the overall performance in games depends on the graphics card. Although both processors use excellent, integrated high-quality video adapters, for the highest realism it is worth buying a video card separately.

Overclocking potential

Processors usually have a fixed frequency and overclocking potential. However, gamers prefer overclocked processors to get more performance and bang for the buck in games. This feature is called "overlocking" or, more simply, overclocking the processor. The basic principle is the ability to increase the clock speed above the base one.

If you are a fan of using overclocking potential processor, then AMD is the preferred option as it may seem at first glance, since they are in the modern FX line, usually have an unlocked multiplier, large quantity cores, albeit at a slightly lower speed.

Intel processors, as a rule, have a locked clock frequency and, therefore, are not suitable for lovers of fine processor tuning, but everything is decided by buying a processor with an unlocked multiplier, while the cost, as well as the frequency of the processor, will also increase, not to mention the purchase additional cooling and designed specifically for overclocking motherboard, which, in principle, can be characteristic of AMD.

Other factors to consider when choosing a processor

When deciding what to choose AMD or Intel for gaming in comparison of these processors, it is important that they are compared on similar platforms and in the same price segment. The size of the RAM, the characteristics of the motherboard and all other parameters must be identical. Only these subtleties will be able to identify a specific leader, albeit in a synthetic test.
Various tests will show that, on average, both processors are equally good, although Intel performs some tasks a little faster, but the price is likely a little higher. But the main conclusion should be that the gamer should get the best price-performance ratio at the end. Lovers computer games understand that small differences are actually minor and may not make up for large price differences.

In addition, by not saving a lot on the processor and buying a product from AMD, you can spend extra money on a good video card, on the performance of which in games can depend much more.

Which AMD or Intel processor should you choose for modern games

When choosing a processor, first of all decide on your needs and capabilities. From a neutral point of view, if the high price does not bother you, of course go for Intel. If you are financially constrained, but want to buy a processor with almost equal efficiency and performance, AMD is the best choice. In addition, the versions of processors are very different, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the prices of this or that product in advance and, if possible, not neglect reviews and synthetic tests.

Published: 23 December 2014 in

AMD vs Intel - Which Processor Is Better?

It is always difficult to write on voluminous and holivar topics, too much pitfalls, myths and misconceptions have to be touched upon. It is not easy to present such material in a detailed manner and accessible to the reader.

But than more difficult task, the more interesting it is to solve it, so today we will talk about which processor is better, AMD or Intel.

Go…

1. The prevalence of processors

Fact - today Intel accounts for 75-80% of the processor market in the world. What does this mean from a consumer point of view? Imagine that some company produces new program or a game. In order for the application to work stably and as efficiently as possible, it must be optimized as much as possible to work with one or another equipment. Optimization costs money because programmers have to be paid. If you were running this company, which processor would you optimize your program for first?

Naturally, under the one that 80% of users have. And the remaining 20% ​​is a leftover principle.

This is approximately the situation we observe today. Even in the gaming industry, there are often situations when a game, after its release, has performance problems on AMD processors and video cards. Naturally, over time, the developers release patches and the problem is solved, but sometimes it takes a long time to wait.

When it comes to working in professional applications, the situation is no better. Recently I myself had a case that can serve as a vivid illustration. Bought my wife Radeon graphics(owned by AMD) to work in graphics editors and play simple games like Sims. After some Photoshop time announced a new feature of their programs, which uses video cards and greatly simplifies the life of designers, artists, etc.

So this function refused to work on the desired video card. Nothing helped, nor reinstallation different versions Photoshop, nor reinstalling video card drivers. We thought - well, let's wait, maybe they'll release patches for Photoshop or update the drivers. We waited for a year, nothing has changed. We bought a simple GForce video card (owned by Intel), everything worked instantly. Although this video card is in a lower price segment than the model from Radeon. After examining the issue on the forums, I found that this problem arose not only with us, but followed very many owners of AMD products, which perfectly logically agrees with the percentage ratio of Intel and AMD shares in the market.

2. Multiplotting

What exactly are we talking about? The processor is installed on the motherboard in a special socket. If you make it universal for several generations of processors, it will make it easy to change CPU without changing the motherboard. Agree, quite convenient.

Intel does not give users such an opportunity, and a new socket is annotated for each new generation. If you want to change the processor, you will have to change the motherboard as well.

On the one hand, this is of course Intel's disadvantage and AMD's advantage.

But is it really so?

A socket created specifically for a specific generation of processors makes it possible to make the operation of this processor as efficient and stable as possible - a clear plus.

As for the need for me a processor - in this matter, not everything is so simple. Let's count.

Intel LGA 1150 socket (released for Haswell and Broadwell microarchitectures) went on sale in 2013. Its predecessor, the LGA 1155 in 2011. The difference is 2 years.

Change the processor every year? It makes no sense, because the performance gain is no more than 10%. The real feasibility of replacing processors appears in 3-4 years.

But in this case, the need to change the motherboard will automatically arise, associated with the transition to qualitatively different standards, for example, USB of the new version, which is immediately twice as fast as the previous one. Or the appearance of a new generation of memory - the change from DDR2 to DD3, which occurs every 3-5 years and also brings a qualitative improvement in performance. All this dictates the need, in addition to the processor, to change the motherboard every 3-5 years.

Therefore, in practice, this theoretical advantage AMD in my opinion is completely untenable.

In contrast to the advantage of the solution Intel that allows you to really provide the best stability and performance.

3. Overclocking capabilities

AMD has historically provided great overclocking capability for its processors, albeit at the expense of stability. Is it good or bad? For those who practice overclocking, AMD certainly does well. For those who are not engaged in overclocking, there is no difference.

It is worth noting the trend of recent years. Technologies have reached such a level that it has become possible to provide the most reliable system for protecting the processor from overheating. This allowed Intel engineers to reconsider their approach to overclocking (previously they were tilting towards the stability and reliability of the processor, deliberately reducing its overclocking capabilities). As a result, new SELF-ACCELERING processors with index k came out, for example Intel i7 3770 k.

First of all, these processors are able to independently increase their operating frequency by 400 MHz (4 steps of 100 MHz). Secondly, they allow you to manually adjust special multipliers in the settings, which increase the operating frequency. This operation does not require any special overclocking knowledge and is completely safe. If the processor starts to overheat, it will automatically reduce the clock speed. Thus, the user gets the opportunity to get the most out of his processor.

On the other hand, since Intel engineers still put stability first, AMD holds the record for overclocking.

4. Availability of integrated Intel graphics

Intel is embedded in the processor graphics core, which acts as a budget graphics card. This decision caused a storm of protests and gamers, because the embedded video card is still too weak to be considered a full-fledged gaming one. On the other hand, a video card built into a motherboard is quite capable of handling non-gaming tasks. It is not entirely clear what audience it is intended for this decision and in fact it turns out that Intel in this way forcibly sells an absolutely unnecessary thing in a bundle, which naturally cannot but affect the price.

5. Price of Intel and AMD processors

I left the simplest question at the end of the article. Intel is more expensive, AMD is cheaper.

AMD processors have the best price / performance ratio. Intel, though more expensive, is more stable and more powerful. By the way, if you are interested in the question of which processor is the most powerful (excluding server ones), it is the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition (at the time of this writing. It is possible that the situation will not change in the future, the series will simply change to 49 **).

Summary

Summarizing, we can conclude that AMD much better suited for people on a tight budget, as well as for enthusiasts who love to dig into the "glands".

Intel it is also the # 1 choice for those willing to pay for additional stability, reliability and performance.

This is my view on this issue. I hope I managed to reveal such a difficult topic for you, I will be glad to have questions and comments.

How much money would you like to spend on CPU? Depending on the price segment, the difference in performance can be very significant. Of course, there is also a dependence on what requirements you have for your computer. It all starts with CPU models costing up to about 10,000 rubles, which are intended for simple PCs with a small performance, but sufficient for office work and web surfing.

In the category from 15,000 rubles, there is an opportunity to get much more power. These models can be equipped with already good gaming computers... At this price point, AMD offers some attractive models with four cores, but Intel also has something to offer, for example, Core processors i5 with four cores and high clock speeds.

Intel's Core i7 and high-end AMD Ryzen 7 series models typically start at Rs. 20,000 and only justify their use in serious systems. Even more money will need to be spent only by those who want to achieve fast work of resource-intensive specialized software optimized for multi-core systems.

CoolerMaster V8: CPU cooler can be huge.

Choosing a processor: what to look for

Who wants to get for their money the best option, when buying a processor, first of all, he should pay attention to the overall performance of the model. However, the level of energy consumption also plays an important role. When evaluating a specific model, parameters such as clock speeds, number of cores and the availability of special features are also important.

How comprehensively and objectively processors are tested in the CHIP laboratory, we talk in. Below we will tell you what you should pay attention to when choosing a specific model.

1. CPU performance

Performance is the most important parameter when evaluating a processor. Who knows exactly what tasks will be assigned to the computer, additional useful information can glean from the relevant benchmarks. For office work, a high score in the Excel benchmark is important.

1.

Overall rating: 100

Value for money: 76

2.

Overall rating: 93.6

Value for money: 100

3.

Overall rating: 86.6

Value for money: 73

2. Processor manufacturer

Essentially, the question is: Intel or AMD? Both processor manufacturers have their own advantages and disadvantages. Intel CPUs currently feature higher clock speeds and perform a large number of instructions per cycle (IPC), making them shine in applications that demand performance "per core".

Since 2017, AMD has joined the arms race with new Ryzen processors. The manufacturer presented very good 6- and 8-core CPUs with multithreading support, outperforming Intel's price offer, and in every segment.

3. CPU power consumption

Processors convert large amounts of energy into heat. AMD chips need up to 95 W, Intel's this parameter reaches 140 W for the fastest models. In the segment of mainstream desktop CPUs, the power consumption levels are at 65 and 95 watts, respectively.

Those who do not assemble a workstation and do not plan to overclock the processor may not bother too much when buying a power supply and a cooler. However: before purchasing components, you must add up the power consumption of all parts of the system in order to find a power supply with the right characteristics.

4. Specifications

Anyone who wants to equip an existing computer with a new processor must pay attention to the fact that the CPU fits the motherboard and its socket. For current models (no more than 2-3 years old), the choice will be quite simple: Intel's Skylake and KabyLake processors need socket 1151, AMD Ryzen processors need socket AM4.

The fact that the CPU is a socket type does not guarantee that everything will work as it should. Your best bet is to find up-to-date motherboard user manuals on the manufacturer's website - usually there is an exact list of supported processors.

Rating leader (extreme processors): Intel Core i9-7900X

This CPU from Intel with its ten cores set, as they say, the heat during the test tests and demonstrated the highest level of performance. Of course, the cost is also enormous - about 73,000 rubles. For ordinary users, such a processor is still redundant.

But those who need it will find in him a chip for the high-end LGA2066 socket platform with a base clock frequency of 3.3 GHz, which can be increased to 4.5 GHz if necessary. At the same time, technically, despite the index "7" in the designation, we are talking about a processor of the generation not of Kaby Lake, but Skylake in the extreme version.

Test results

Intel Core i9-7900X is the new top-level processor from Intel. During test tests, the Skylake X generation processor proved to be fantastic: in many benchmarks, it confidently lays on the blades of its predecessor, the Intel Core i7-6950X. Many, but not all. The new cache structure takes its toll. However, the processor deserves an undisputed buy recommendation for anyone looking to maximize the processing power of their computer.

Advantages

Highest performance
Ten CPU cores
Very promising
Good value for money
Large L2 cache

disadvantages

Very expensive
High level energy consumption

The results of testing Intel Core i9-7900X

• Price-quality ratio
  Good
• Place in the overall rating
  7 from 28

• Value for money: 65
• CPU performance (100%): 84.1

Which processor is better than Intel or AMD.

Now is an interesting time for CPU manufacturers. The days when laptop battery life was measured in just a few hours and was considered effective, and when the bulk of computer hobbyists had noisy, hot desktop PCs in their homes, are over. Desktop PC sales fell 9.8 percent. In emerging markets, the story is even worse, with an 11.3 percent drop. Quite simply, users now prefer smaller, cheaper and less power-hungry devices.

In 2014, the position of desktop PCs strengthened slightly, and then only because firms replaced their PCs on which were no longer supported Windows XP, but in 2015 sales fell again. Analysts said a "moderate decline" will be all over the place as sales have increased. Windows tablets and hybrids - 2 in 1 laptop / tablet.

All in all, this was a coup for the major players in the industry. Just ten years ago, Intel and AMD had peace and quiet. Intel's distinctive logo stood everywhere notebooks were sold, and AMD's future was blissful thanks to ATI's acquisition of graphics. And in such a cloudless atmosphere, these giants gradually began to lag behind the times. The tech environment was changing rapidly, and Intel, especially the slower AMD, was unable to make the switch to mobile, allowing other chipmakers, especially ARM, as well as VIA and Qualcomm, to dominate this huge new market.

Why AMD and Intel

If you buy a traditional laptop or PC, you have only two processor options - AMD and Intel, and the sharp decline in popularity of PCs does not mean that they have become beggars. Keep in mind that Intel's total revenue in 2014 was $ 55.8 billion. But, of course, Intel doesn't just make its income from selling PC and laptop processors. The company also manufactures GPUs, wired and wireless network, servers, workstation processors and more. And while you won't find Intel processors in most smartphones or tablets, the firm makes quite a few SoCs for mobile devices.

AMD is in some way the weaker of the two. On the one hand, while Intel is creating its own production, opening more than a dozen factories in the United States, Ireland, Israel and China; AMD sold its last factories back in 2009. Today, just like ARM, VIA, MediaTek and many others, AMD develops its own chips, but produces them on the side. Microprocessor manufacturing is terribly expensive and AMD looks pale compared to Intel, at only $ 5.51 billion.

History and breakthroughs

Both companies have their own history. When Intel released the 8080 processor in 1974, it laid the foundation for all x86 processors that provided the foundation of all desktop PCs for nearly 30 years. They later showcased the shrewdness of the merchants: in the mid-2000s, the Centrino platform, consisting of a low-power processor, wireless chip, and mobile chipset, took the market by storm, with a reputation for desktop-grade computing power and long battery life. And the company's switch from the x86 brand to the "Pentium" brand was like the brush of a PR genius.

Intel's marketing skill continues to this day. True, the success of the Intel-branded ultrabook was perilously linked to Microsoft's efforts to promote its Windows 8 operating system.

AMD's position as a loser is consistent. AMD now has a 17 percent market share, in part due to console gaming devices: at the heart of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the embedded AMD 8-core Jaguar processor.

Perhaps AMD's biggest relatively recent innovation was the acquisition of an ATI graphics processing unit (GPU). This has brought AMD to near catching up with Intel in the ability to install integrated graphics processors - that is, GPUs located on the same chip as the CPU. The result is less graphics power, but a significant reduction in power and heat consumption. Forget the fire-breathing, discrete graphics cards (last year's Radeon R9 280X peaked at 250W and needed two fans). AMD realized that the future of silicon is not only in more computing power, but also in reducing power consumption and size. Most people these days don't need great computing power, they want the best time battery operation on portable devices.

Intel or AMD problems

At first glance, AMD and Intel were well positioned in the market and responding to all the needs of mobile users. The desktop PC market was in a steady downturn, notebook sales were on the rise, and mobile phones needed a rethink. Intel already had an incredibly high reputation with its Centrino laptop, and its competitor, Turion AMD, was just a second behind, racing to win a market that already knew mobility was the future of computing.

Intel started off strong. Remember the netbook? The first netbooks - for example, Asus Eee The PC 701, launched in the UK in 2007, cost less than £ 200, weighed less than a kilogram, and still offered enough processing power to run basic work and web browser applications. What processor is it based on? Ultra low version of the humble Celeron.

The netbook was a major commercial success and Intel capitalized on its Atom processor. It was silicon Intel at its cheapest option. Thousands of the earliest netbook-based CPU Atoms cost manufacturers less than $ 30. Consumers wanted small, cheap computers, and Intel, with its rich experience in mobile processors, was able to answer the challenge.

The problems started in tablets. “We don’t know how to make a $ 500 computer that isn’t junk,” Steve Jobs said in 2008. “The netbook is worse than this,” he added, launching the first generation iPad in 2010. Apple COO Tim Cook agreed, describing the netbook as "not a great consumer experience." This is how the iPad was born.

The problem for Intel and AMD wasn't that they weren't expecting consumer preference. mobile devices... The problem was the form factor: on its first day of sales in 2010, 300,000 iPads were sold. Choosing between traditional laptops and netbooks, with traditional desktops operating systems built on traditional x86 hardware, Intel and AMD are betting on the wrong horse. In fact, Intel, Microsoft, and HP tried to push the tablet long before the iPad, but the combination of Windows (an OS designed for keyboard and mouse), short battery life and heavy hardware meant no one wanted to buy them.

The problem for Intel and AMD was not that the iPad and subsequent tablets from Sony, Samsung and so on did not need processors. They still needed it, but in a new type of processors. And the kingdom of SoC (system on a chip) - in which all the functions of a computer are built into a single chip - was already ruled by the British giant ARM.

ARM processors have a completely different architecture from traditional Intel and AMD chips. The architecture of the abbreviated ARM instruction set (RISC) is physically simpler than the x86 processor, which means it is cheaper and less power-hungry. The strong rise of the iPad and the sharp decline of Windows tablets have shown that AMD and Intel were late for this boat. Fast forward to a netbook in 2015 found itself stillborn, nipped in the bud by high-quality tablets that perform well, offer long battery life, and cost a lot less than a standard laptop.

New form factors

Even Microsoft, a long-term ally of x86 bit hardware, has added pain to Intel and AMD. RT Windows, released in late 2012, was the first Windows version running on ARM devices, theoretically giving Microsoft access to cheap tablets. However, the RT Windows platform got hooked: In 2013, Microsoft lost $ 900 million on its unsold RT Windows devices, and the company's CFO Amy Hood said, "We know we have to do better, especially on mobile."

While we were all impressed Surface Pro 3, it turned out to be the best of a relatively poor selection of so-called "two-in-one" devices, which supposedly offer the best of both worlds: minute, full Windows laptop, another minute - a tablet. The problem is that Windows 8's touch interface isn't all that good, and few developers write apps for it. Now, Microsoft's immediate future depends on the success of Windows 10.

However, Intel did not place all its hopes on Microsoft alone. 2015 introduced the Curie module, a miniature module about the size of a button. It uses a Quark SE SoC that can be powered by a coin-sized battery. And while its proliferation in the world of tablets and ultra-thin computers has not yet been called triumphant, Intel still has a lot in store.

Intel or AMD, which is better for gaming

Game orientation is a different story altogether. Intel is betting on graphics processing, but its interests are in integrated graphics. Integrated graphics are ideal for small laptops. The integrated GPU doesn't add much to the price of the laptop, doesn't consume too much power, and - contrary to popular belief - does provide decent enough 3-D processing for not-so-demanding games.

For any gamer, trying to run the latest game releases at high detail settings has shown the failure of recent consoles. Nevertheless, discrete graphics cards have always been a worthy alternative, and here AMD has a significant advantage. Today there is a whole palette of AMD graphics cards, from low-profile passively cooled cards to the R9 390X graphics card, which retails for $ 500. However, discrete graphics aren't AMD's only strong suit. As a supplier of its own chips for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, AMD has not bypassed its attention on the Wii U Nintendo. And although they are currently unable to announce their new platform developments, for example, tablets or hybrids, avid gamers have something to thank them for.

What to buy AMD or Intel

If you are building a desktop PC, the choice between AMD and Intel is obvious as always. But on the other hand, it is also difficult, since in any well-known store you will come across a huge selection of 600 CPUs. If you're on a budget, AMD has a good choice not bad processors at lower standard prices. But AMD's choice doesn't mean ditching high-performance computing, the upper limit Athlon processors comparable to the leading Intel Core i7 processor.

And yet Intel dominates both the mid-range CPUs and the high-end CPUs, where there are a lot of them. For powerful, everyday computing, the Core i5 is perfect. You can buy it for about $ 250-300. More advanced users - those who are into video editing, 3-D animation, or those who participate in the leaderboard, can choose the Intel Core i7 chip.

So when buying a desktop or laptop, Intel is preferred over AMD. True, if you are not tightly limited by the budget.