Why I prefer AMD over Intel?

Whenever we are out to buy a new PC, Laptop or other computing device, after the brand name of the the product, next thing we look at is the processor. There are two majors in the processor market-Intel and AMD, and we decide among these two only and never bother to look at the third option. Most of us prefer to buy product with Intel processor probably due to its market value. But i still prefer AMD over Intel and i have some reasons to do so. Some of them mentioned below.

INTEL Vs AMD

Intel offer more clock frequency than AMD and hence perform faster than AMD.  Really???

Sorry Intel lovers but this is not the case. Without doubt Intel processors have more clock frequency than their AMD counterparts but AMD perform much more work per clock than an Intel processor. So an AMD processor working at 2.8 GHz is actually working faster than an Intel processor working at 4.0 GHz. Even if we talk about maximum frequencies available for intel and AMD processors, AMD is way head with their latest FX operating at 5.0 GHz and intel's latest 4th generation i7 processor operating at 3.60 GHz (that too with turbo boost technology).

The cost factor

With all one's heart, a similar performing AMD processor is much cheaper in cost than its Intel buddy.  and if we talk about latest products available till date, AMD FX is priced at $199.99 while Intels 4th generation i7-4950HQ will cost more than $280.

Technologies at offer by AMD

(1) HyperTransport- It is a technology for interconnection of computer processors. It is a bidirectional serial/parallel high-bandwidth, low latency point to point link. it is used by IBM, Apple and other majors. It makes quick access times to system I/O for better performance. Intel is also catching up with its QuickPath interconnect technology.

(2) Integrated DRAM Controller with AMD Memory Optimizer- A high-bandwidth, low-latency integrated memory controller having support for up to DDR3-1866. Also supports new low voltage memories of 1.35V and 1.2V. It offers Direct communications to each core in Dual-Core module. Thus Optimizes memory controller to feed more cores. No such similar technology is available with Intel as of yet.

(2) AMD Turbo CORE- It provides new instruction capabilities for performing heavy floating point calculation accurately and speedily. It also offers Advanced Encryption Standard noticeably increase performance on the latest encryption applications. No such similar technology is available with Intel as of yet.

(3) AMD Virtualization- It helps virtualization software to run more securely and efficiently enabling a better experience when dealing with virtual systems. Intel is also able to do so but quite less efficiently.

 (4) AMD PowerNow! (Cool'n'Quiet)- It offer users to get more efficient performance and consuming less power by dynamically activating or turning off parts of the processor. By this the haeting problem of AMD is undone. Intel processors are usually quieter and PowerNow is big challenge overcome from Intel.

Technologies at offer by Intel

(1) Hyper-Threading- Hyper-Threading Technology uses resources efficiently, enabling multiple threads to run on each core and increasing processor throughput. There is no such AMD's counterpart as of now but still latest from AMD can run more threads in a single processor if not a single core.

(2) Turbo Boost-It  automatically allow cores to run faster than the base operating frequency at cost of drawing more power. In some cases it also make the system unstable, more heating of processor.

(3) QuickPath InterConnect- A point-to-point processor interconnect technology designed to compete with AMD's HyperTransport technology which is in the market before.

(4) Tri-Gate (3D) Transistors- It enables quick transition between on-off states of gates, thus increasing more clock frequency. AMD is catching up soon. Even without this technology AMD has been able to perform at 5.0 Ghz.

Factors in favor of Intel

The various benchmarks over internet suggest that per core performance of Intel's processor is better than AMD. But if you look at performance per cost ratio, AMD definitely has upper hand.


Note: I am not any AMD product promoter or employee. The information above is collected from internet and is based on my experience with Intel and AMD processors. Intel processors may have other advantages above the purview of my knowledge.