11/05/09
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Which processor? Intel vs. AMD can make a difference in performance
Prospective PC buyers should carefully consider their choice of processor, according to computer experts, because the two major microchip manufacturers – AMD and Intel – offer different advantages and disadvantages.
Computer speed is determined, in large part, by the central processing unit (CPU) that performs most of the actual computing done by the machine. Better processors mean higher speeds – and, frequently, a higher price point. PC Magazine's Michael Miller discussed the ins and out of both major processor manufacturers in a recent article.
Broadly speaking, writes Miller, AMD processors tend to offer more bang for a given buck, but Intel chips are generally better at performing high-workload tasks. AMD's wares are better with graphical processing, but less energy-efficient than Intel's processors. Miller does emphasize, however, that both processors turned in similar results and that the differences between them were relatively slight.
In sum, Miller's information suggests that users for whom battery life and non-graphical performance should go with Intel processors, while those seeking high-end graphics and maximized value should opt for AMD.