AMD vs Intel: Which is the superior CPU?

Although the most potent consumer-grade chip now available is AMD’s Zen-based CPU, Intel CPUs provide the highest performance at a reasonable cost. Therefore, even though AMD has the most power overall, the 13th generation of Intel CPUs offers the best value and is more than sufficient for the majority of customers.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D has completely rewritten industry standards for power and performance with its Zen 4 architecture, 5nm cores, and additional support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. However, that does not always imply that it is the best value. You probably won’t get the most out of this CPU unless you use very sophisticated 3D rendering software, and most users will object to the high price.

A better compromise between price and performance can be found with the less expensive AMD Ryzen 7 7700X. However, the Intel Core i7-12700K outperforms AMD’s CPU in multi-thread testing and outnumbers it in cores at this lower price range. Additionally, Intel plans to maintain its supremacy in the midmarket with the debut of the Intel Core i7-13700K, which has 16 cores and supports up to 24 threads.

It doesn’t necessarily follow that AMD is the greatest CPU for you, even if it seems to be the case right now. Depending on your needs and preferences, AMD might be a better option for high-end processors, while Intel might be a better choice for mid-tier models. You might not need the newest and best CPU available if your computing tasks don’t result in frequent computer crashes or an audible fan.

Due to their intense competition, both manufacturers have improved quickly in recent years: AMD has made significant strides in transistor technology, and Intel has increased the number of cores in its chips.

The AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel i7 lines of chips offer fairly even clock speeds and thread counts, making them both excellent choices unless you’re an intense gamer who enjoys pushing FPS into the triple digits. Price is frequently the deciding factor, but if you’re serious about obtaining the best CPU possible for your requirements, it’s time to compare AMD and Intel chips in greater detail.

What distinguishes AMD from Intel?

Even though Fairchild Semiconductor is the ancestor of both AMD and Intel, the primary distinction between the two businesses is that Intel has larger R&D budgets and far stronger revenue streams. Because of this financial advantage as well as the sophistication and efficiency of Intel’s chips, AMD has frequently found it difficult to compete.

After providing the microprocessors for IBM’s first personal computer in 1981, Intel solidified its place in the market over the ensuing decades, growing into a multibillion dollar behemoth and the clear leader of the CPU industry. Due to allegations of industry monopolization brought about by their dominance, they have even had to pay large fines and settlements for lawsuits.

Despite these obstacles, AMD was able to innovate and begin to challenge Intel; in fact, there was enough similarity between their CPUs that both AMD and Intel chips were affected by the Meltdown and Spectre hardware flaws. However, AMD was forced to start over in the early 2010s because it had fallen so far behind. Their new approach, which put performance and price in balance, was centered on low-cost chips after they realized how difficult it was to compete with Intel.

This resulted in a clever design strategy that was simple to scale and that prioritized chiplets to cut down on waste. Soon after, AMD was producing chips that were just as powerful as those made by Intel, but at an even lower cost. For mid-market buyers, the less expensive choice started to make more sense as the performance difference narrowed.

The situation was drastically altered in 2017 with the release of AMD’s Zen architecture, which poses a greater threat to Intel’s dominance than before. Although AMD’s single-thread speeds are still not up to Intel’s, its chips’ multiple cores and multi-threading capabilities result in faster clock speeds and more efficiency.

CPU performance for gaming

For gamers, Intel CPUs typically provide more performance and value than AMD processors. In video games, higher instructions-per-clock (IPC) and single-thread clock speeds are required for complex AI calculations. Intel excels in these areas. The core architecture of AMD chips is typically better suited for multitasking tasks than for demanding video games.

However, when it comes to overclocking, AMD chips are typically more adaptable than their Intel counterparts. AMD is a great option if you’re into overclocking your CPU to get more processing power to play the newest and most demanding games.

Overclocking is only possible with Intel CPUs that have a “K” in their model number. Furthermore, these K-models are not inexpensive; one such example is the Intel i9-13900KS, which is widely regarded as the best Intel processor for gaming. Of course, overclocking is typically not required because Intel’s clock speeds are already so high.

When constructing a gaming PC, you must choose between AMD and Nvidia for the GPU. It’s not always an easy choice. Luckily, it’s a little easier to decide between AMD and Intel for your gaming CPU.

Certain AMD CPUs, such as the Ryzen 5800X3D, have clock speeds that are on par with those of Intel CPUs. Thus, you might want to act quickly if you come across a good deal on an AMD CPU. However, generally speaking, the incredibly strong single-thread throughput of an Intel CPU makes it the best option if you’re looking to optimize a Windows 10 PC for gaming.

How do AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel i7 compare for demanding tasks? What about other CPUs with high performance? To compare their specs, view our comparison chart below.

Table of superior CPU comparisons

The top high-level CPUs for gaming and other high-performance tasks are listed below:

Office work: Multimedia, content creation, and productivity

The more cores, the better, especially for high-intensity multimedia applications like video editing. Currently, AMD’s top-tier chip distributes workloads among multiple potent cores to deliver outstanding performance for productivity and content creation.

Audio and video must be encoded simultaneously when editing videos. If a single core performs both tasks, it must continually switch between them, which significantly slows down export. An efficient way to finish the complex work involved in a 3D model render is to divide the workload among several cores and threads.

However, you might still be bouncing between apps a lot even if you’re not using sophisticated video editing software, particularly if your PC is also being used for other productivity or content creation applications. The idea is still the same: splitting up the work is the best way to multitask. With more processor cores doing the work, you’ll experience fewer issues.

Additionally, AMD has built a solid reputation for manufacturing the most energy-efficient CPUs available, a trend that has carried over into their most recent chip generation. This keeps the CPU from overheating even when it is operating under a lot of stress. Look for CPUs with low thermal design power (TDP) if this is a concern.

Checking your computer’s CPU temperature is a good idea regardless of the type of chip you have, as it can prevent overheating, which can impair performance, cause data loss, or even permanently damage your hardware. Perform a hard drive test to evaluate device performance while you’re at it, particularly if the disk is at 100% utilization. Your PC will also run faster if you upgrade to an SSD or free up disk space.

Although AMD may be more expensive and offer less throughput per core than Intel, AMD may be superior for high-intensity office work, but Intel is superior for the majority of other office tasks when it comes to office work or creative applications. Always select the CPU that best suits your needs, and be sure to verify the specs of your PC and the compatibility of your graphics card.

Which is better for daily computing tasks, AMD or Intel? Let’s investigate!

Office/Home/Standard CPU comparison table

Here’s how some of the most popular mid-level CPUs stack up against each other:

AMD versus Intel: Cost

In the past, AMD was less expensive than Intel, and you usually got what you paid for. These days, it’s fairly near. However, if you’re wondering whether to buy AMD or Intel in 2024 for your computing needs, the majority of the time the answer is probably still Intel.

Though AMD’s top-tier chips are meant for advanced users who demand a lot from their machines and use specialized software, Intel CPUs typically offer the best performance at mid-range price points.

However, cost is more than just a figure. AMD places a high value on interoperability across generations, which is reflected in the higher price points of their flagship CPUs. A generation upgrade already costs about $500, but with AMD, that’s a one-time investment that works flawlessly with the newest hardware.

Although Intel’s products haven’t always been as flexible, their 13th generation CPUs will work with DDR4, so an Intel i9-13900KS can be installed on a motherboard from a prior generation. Compared to AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X, this top-tier CPU is significantly less expensive, making the Intel option appear like a great deal.

What happens, though, if you include wattage in the calculation? AMD places a strong emphasis on energy optimization, and the maximum power consumption of Intel’s most recent chips consistently surpasses AMD’s comparable figures.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X can only manage 105W, whereas Intel’s Core i7-13700K can reach a maximum of 253W. This type of power-efficiency differential not only improves PC performance but also results in significant energy bill savings.

List prices are frequently intricate. Ultimately, your unique demands and requirements will determine whether you should purchase AMD or Intel. The majority of consumers won’t choose the Ryzen 9 or i9 CPUs, and because AMD and Intel are in such intense competition, there are many reasonably priced, highly performant chips available in the mid-market segment.

Which is more cost-effective, AMD or Intel? See which processor helps you get the most value for your money by comparing market prices and other factors using the chart below.

A table that compares prices

A price comparison of every CPU discussed in this article can be found here:

Performance of laptops using AMD vs Intel

The market for laptop CPUs is still dominated by Intel, and the majority of laptops have Intel processors. But AMD has also started to challenge Intel’s hegemony in this area. Both companies provide excellent laptop CPUs with comparable levels of performance.

It’s possible that either company will provide the best processor for your new laptop, and obtaining a laptop equipped with their most recent CPU generation is not too difficult. Mid-range Intel or AMD CPUs, such as the i5s and Ryzen 5s, are suitable for most users who don’t use demanding or specialized software. These CPUs are fine for everyday use. Consider getting a Ryzen 7 or i7 if you spend all of your time in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla or a video editing suite.

The most powerful chips offered by both companies are more powerful than what most users will ever require from a processor. For example, when comparing the i7 and i9’s performance and price, the question is: Is it really worth paying a few hundred dollars more for a few frames per second more?

However, you’re more likely to locate an off-the-shelf laptop with a top-tier Intel CPU if you’re determined to get the best processor possible for your laptop. With a staggering 24 cores in your brand-new notebook—which the i9-13900HX provides—you really can’t go wrong.

Which is overall best between AMD and Intel?

We believe that Intel produces the best CPUs for general daily use. Generally speaking, high-end workstations with AMD perform slightly better due to their higher core counts. If not, Intel most likely has the ideal chip for you.

The results of the CPU stress tests are in, and with the exception of the most expensive high-end chips, Intel’s clock speeds typically prevail. However, some reviews claim that for average users, the performance of AMD and Intel chips is generally tied. Neither an AMD nor an Intel processor should cause you any trouble.

Look for discounts on CPUs that meet your desired specifications when you shop. Go for it if you can find an AMD chip that satisfies your needs for less money than its Intel counterpart. The intense rivalry between the two businesses is driving them both to create superior, cutting-edge hardware.

In summary:

Intel continues to dominate the CPU market because it provides the best value in terms of cost, functionality, and availability. With their unparalleled single-thread clock speeds, Intel CPUs are undoubtedly the preferred choice for gamers.

With their new Ryzen 9 chip, AMD has become a more competitive player in the consumer-grade CPU market. AMD’s latest chips, with their multithreaded Zen architecture and eight or more cores, excel in high-end workstations.