Amd or Intel - Making the Decision
AMD
Ever since Intel launched its Core2 Duo processors in 2006, AMD has struggled to keep up. In order to compete effectively and maintain its already small market share, AMD has had to slash its prices on its processor lines. AMD has been unable to show a profit for almost two years, which has made it more difficult for the company to move to 45nm (one of the few ways to match Intel’s performance) and streamline their fabrication techniques. In early 2008, AMD launched its Phenom processors. Many wondered if AMD would be able to regain the performance advantage it held for most of 2005 after Intel failed to meet expectations with ultimately unsuccessful enhancements to the Pentium 4; AMD failed. Today, AMD competes by trying to win customers on a solid value proposition. In addition, the company has also tried to give its customers a more solid upgrade path by allowing customers to upgrade in favor of faster processors without any major hardware changes. Soon, AMD will be moving to a 45nm architecture, which, if expectations are correct, should put them within reach of Intel’s best processors, but Intel is ready with a new chip design of their own.
Pros:
Solid Upgrade Path & Integrated Memory Controller
Great Value Proposition
Support for Hybrid SLI via Motherboard Chipset
Cons:
Outperformed By Intel
Lack Solid Innovation
Intel Intel has consistently dominated the desktop processor market in terms of market share since personal computers became mainstream. Due to its size, Intel has been subjective to a variety of lawsuits alleging that Intel should be regulated to promote fairer competition. For years, Intel has consistently fabricated the fastest processors. One is probably familiar with the company’s renown “Pentium” brand. In 2005, the company faced its first real challenge when AMD took the performance crown from them. Intel struck back hard with its subsequent processor offerings and has remained unsurpassed to this day. Intel is currently producing a healthy and broad line of 45nm processors; these processor also have superior overclocking potential because of their efficient design. Around the time AMD is scheduled to launch its 45nm Phenoms, Intel is expected to launch Nahalem, which should improve current performance by 25-30% over existing architecture. Depending on the timing of this launch, Intel could retain its performance crown until late 2009 when AMD finally launches its next processor line.
Pros:
Top Performing
Innovative
Support for DDR3 Memory
Cons:
Performance at a Cost
Poorer Upgradability
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