Comparison of processors for laptops (AMD and Intel)

In this article, we will compare the processors for laptops from the two leading semiconductor manufacturers - Intel and AMD. The products of the first of them are equipped with an improved processor part and have a higher level of performance in this regard. In turn, AMD solutions can boast a more productive graphics subsystem.

Separation into niches

Comparison of AMD and Intel processors for notebooks The most optimal will be done in three niches:

• Processors of the budget class (they are also more affordable).
• CPUs of the middle level, which combine both a high level of speed, and acceptable energy efficiency.
• Chips with the maximum level of performance. In this case, speed, autonomy and energy efficiency are a secondary concern.

If AMD can provide a worthy alternative to Intel in the first two cases, then the last company has been dominating the premium segment for a long time already. The only hope in this regard for new processor solutions based on the Zen architecture, which AMD should present next year.

Intel products for entry level

Until recently, this line from "Intel" was occupied by products of the Atom line. But now the situation has changed and entry-level laptops are now based on Celeron or Pentium processors. The most modest products of this class include only 2 cores, and the most advanced ones are 4. The following models, which are listed in Table 1, are relevant for the third quarter of 2016.

Table 1 - Up-to-date CPU models from Intel for entry-level mobile PCs.

In fact, there are no cardinal differences between these models of the CPU. They are aimed at solving the most simple tasks and have a minimum level of performance. Also, this manufacturer of semiconductor solutions has the strongest part of the processor part, but the integrated graphics subsystem is very weak. Another strength of these products is the high degree of energy efficiency and improved autonomy.

Middle-level solutions from Intel

"Cor i3" and "Cor i5" are mid-level Intel processors for notebooks. Comparison of their characteristics indicates that the first family is closer to the solutions of the entry level, and the second - under certain circumstances can compete with the most productive chips of this company. Detailed specifications of the product family are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 - The parameters of the processors from Intel for mid-range laptops.

The characteristics of this class of CPUs are almost identical. The key difference is the improved energy saving in 7U54. As a result, autonomy in this case will also be better. In the rest, there are no significant differences between these processors. The price for all chips of this family is the same - $ 281.

Premium processors for laptops from Intel

Comparison of Intel processors for the latest generation of laptops indicates that the most productive solutions include the CPU family i7. And in architectural terms, they practically do not differ from products of the middle class. Even the video card models in this case are the same. But a higher level of performance compared to the middle-class processors is provided by higher clock speeds and increased size of volatile memory of the 3rd level. The main parameters of the chips in this family are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 - The main characteristics of the CPU family i7.

The difference between these products is that in the second case, energy efficiency is improved, but at the same time, the performance will eventually be lower.

AMD processors for entry-level mobile PCs

Comparison of mobile processors for laptops of the two leading manufacturers of this product indicates that Intel has, as noted earlier, a better processor part, while AMD has an integrated graphics subsystem. If the new laptop is a priority is the improved video system, it is better to pay attention to the laptops of the second manufacturer. Specific models of chips with technical specifications are given in Table 4.

Table 4 - The most recent AMD processors for notebooks of entry level.

Most of these chips have almost identical technical parameters. The key difference here is only in the frequency range and the integrated integrated accelerator model. It is based on these parameters and you need to make a choice. If you need maximum autonomy, then we choose products with lower performance. If autonomy comes to the fore, then it is necessary to sacrifice dynamism for the sake of this.

AMD chips for the organization of mid-range laptops

FX-9XXXP and A1X-9XXXX are the main AMD processors for notebooks. Comparison of their characteristics with entry-level products indicates that they already have 4 computational units against 2, which are available in entry-level products. Also, the integrated graphics card in this case can make a worthy competition to discrete entry-level accelerators. But the weak processor part is the factor for today, which significantly reduces the performance of laptops based on these chips. Therefore, you can look in their direction only when the minimum cost of a mobile computer needs the fastest graphics subsystem. The main specifications of this family of CPUs are listed in Table 5.

Table 5 - CPU parameters from AMD for middle class notebooks.

Recommended notebook models for each segment

The most difficult to make a comparison of processors for laptops in the segment of entry-level products. On the one hand, Intel solutions in this case have a lower cost and an improved processor part. In turn, AMD offers mobile PCs with an improved graphics subsystem. It is based on the last parameter and it is recommended to buy when choosing an entry-level entry-level Pavilion 15-AW006UR from HP. All other things being equal with competing solutions, the video card in this case will have a certain performance margin, and the CPU does not lose too much CPU from Intel. In the quality of a mid-range mobile PC, it is recommended to choose the Aspire E5 - 774 - 50SY from Acer. It has a chip i5 - 7200U, which is only slightly inferior to flagship products. And he has other technical specifications at an acceptable level, as for a laptop of the middle class. The comparison of processors for laptops in the niche of the most productive solutions indicated that it is best to purchase mobile computers based on i7 chips of the 7th generation. The most affordable, but at the same time very equipped version of the laptop, is the IdeaPad 510-15 IKB from Lenovo. It is recommended to buy it when choosing the most productive mobile PC. At the same time, the price is quite democratic for both this class of devices and the equipment is excellent.

Results

The comparison of processors for laptops of the two leading chip manufacturers to date clearly and clearly indicates that the leading position in most cases is precisely the products from Intel. AMD, in its turn, lags behind its direct competitor. The only segment of the market where parity is still maintained is the entry-level mobile products, where AMD has a worthy alternative. In all other cases, it is more correct to purchase laptops based on the CPU from Intel. The current situation can drastically change the output of processors based on the Zen architecture in 2017. But whether it will be possible for AMD to do it - time will tell. Right now, the right thing to do in the niche of mid-range and premium mobile PCs is to rely on Intel solutions. Although the price they are somewhat overstated, but the level of performance this defect with interest compensates.