Processors 101: AMD and Intel

Intel dominated the world of computer processors. Now, however, AMD is back in the game and there is more competition. Today, we will discuss Processors 101: AMD and Intel so you can make an informed decision about which brand will best suit your needs. If you are a tech junkie or already know the technical terminology, you may skip the following section (Computer Processors 101).

Computer Processors 101

A computer processor is the brain of your computer. It interprets all instructions, sent from other components on your motherboard, and also works to carry out the tasks assigned. One core will interpret one set of instructions. Whereas, dual cores will interpret two sets of data simultaneously. More cores are better because they provide faster processing of information (or faster clock speeds).

While more cores offer faster processing, it is not always necessary because some computers can imagine they have more cores and manifest faster operations. For example, a processor with one core can imagine it has two and function as if it does have a secondary core. It sounds pretty wild.

However, the phantom core/virtualization process is real and often called hyperthreading, while the imaginary core itself is called a logical core. *More cores work better than hyperthreading. At the same time, hyper-threading does yield some positive results.

The third main term to remember when shopping for a processor is multi-threading. Different parts of one program are called threads. Multi-threading allows your processor to operate multiple threads at the same time.

Last, you’ll want to consider the CPU cache, which is like a temporary holding place for data in frequent use. The CPU cache makes it easier and faster for your processor to access information without having to call data from the computer’s RAM.

AMD

If you are on a budget and looking for a processor, AMD is your best choice because it offers the most for your money. AMD combines Radeon graphics with the processor for enhanced gaming performance. Plus, it allows users to modify the CPU’s clock speed (via overclocking) for increased speed.

Check out:

€65.81   AMD Athlon X4 860K

€102.41 AMD A10-7860K Godavari 

€114.04 AMD FX-8300

€338.32 AMD Ryzen 7 1700

€396.05 AMD Ryzen 7 1700x

Intel

Cheaper, however, does not mean better because many users still find Intel has better over-all performance. Intel out-performs AMD in gaming performance. Plus, the company outperforms AMD with the speed of its processors.

While Intel offers the fastest processors available, its prices reflect the Class A performance and are often not affordable for those on a tight budget. If money isn’t an issue, go with Intel. However, if you’d like decent performance at an affordable price, go with AMD.

Check out:

€133.86  Intel Core i3-7100 Kaby Lake

€181.60  Intel Core i3-7350K Kaby Lake

€336.41  Intel Core i7-6700  Skylake

€375.92  Intel Core i7-7700 Kaby Lake

€423.86  Intel Core i7-5775C Broadwell