This article will compare laptop processors from two leading manufacturers of semiconductor products - Intel and AMD. The products of the first of them are equipped with an improved processor part and in this regard have a higher level of performance. In turn, AMD solutions boast a more productive graphics subsystem.
Niche division
Comparison of AMD and Intel processors for laptops will most optimally perform in three niches:
- Budget class processors (they are also the most affordable).
- Mid-level CPUs that combine both a high level of speed and acceptable energy efficiency.
- Chips with maximum performance. In this case, speed, autonomy and energy efficiency are fading into the background.
If in the first two cases AMD can provide a worthy alternative to Intel, then the premium company has long been reigning supremely the last company. The only hope in this regard for new processor solutions based on the Zen architecture, which AMD is due to introduce next year.
Intel products for entry level
Until recently, this niche from Intel was occupied by Atom products. 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 - 4. The following models are relevant for the 3rd quarter of 2016, which are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 - Current CPU models from Intel for entry-level mobile PCs.
No. p / p | Model name | The number of cores | Process technology, nm | Level 3 cache, Mb | Frequency, GHz | Thermal package, W | CPU cost, $ | HD Graphics Model |
one. | Celeron N3350 | 2 | fourteen | 2 | 1.1-2.4 | 6 | 107 | 500 |
2. | Celeron N3450 | four | 1.1-2.2 | 500 |
3. | Pentium N4200 | 1.1-2.5 | 161 | 505 |
There are essentially no fundamental differences between these CPU models. They are aimed at solving the most simple tasks and have a minimum level of performance. Also, this manufacturer of semiconductor solutions has a strong side in the processor part, but the integrated graphics subsystem is very weak. Another strong point of these products is a high degree of energy efficiency and improved autonomy due to this.
Intel Mid-End Solutions
“Cor i3” and “Cor i5” are mid-level Intel processors for laptops. A comparison of their characteristics indicates that the first family is closer to entry-level solutions, and the second - under certain circumstances, can compete with the most productive chips of this company. Detailed specifications of the specified product family are given in table 2.
Table 2 - Processor parameters from Intel for mid-range laptops.
No. p / p | Model name | Number of Cores/ logical flows, pcs | Production technology, nm | Cache memory of the 3rd level, Mb | Frequency, GHz | Power, W | HD Graphics |
one. | i3 - 7100U | 2/4 | fourteen | 3 | 2,4 | fifteen | 620 |
2. | i5 - 7200U | 3,1 |
3. | i5 - 7U54 | four | 3.2 | 7 | 615 |
The characteristics of the CPU of this class are almost identical. The key difference is the improved energy efficiency of the 7U54. As a result, autonomy in this case will also be better. Otherwise, there are no significant differences between these processors. The price of all the chips of this family is the same - 281 dollars.
Intel Premium Notebook Processors
Comparison of Intel processors for laptops of the latest generation indicates that the most productive solutions include CPUs of the i7 family. Moreover, in architectural terms, they practically do not differ from middle-class products. Even the models of video cards in this case are the same. But a higher level of performance compared to middle-class processors is provided by higher clock frequencies and an increased size of volatile memory of the 3rd level. The main parameters of the chips of this family are shown in table 3.
Table 3 - Main characteristics of the i7 family CPU.
No. | Chip name | Frequency Range, GHz | 3rd level cache, Mb | The number of cores and threads, pcs | Cost, $ | HD Graphics Model |
one. | i7 - 7500U | 2.7-3.5 | four | 2/4 | 393 | 620 |
2. | i7 - 7U75 | 1.3-3.6 | 615 |
The difference between these products is that in the second case, energy efficiency is improved, but at the same time, performance will ultimately be lower.
AMD processors for entry-level mobile PCs
A comparison of mobile processors for laptops of two leading manufacturers of these products indicates that Intel, as noted earlier, has a better processor part, while AMD has an integrated graphics subsystem. If the priority in the new laptop is precisely the improved video system, then it is better to pay attention to laptops of the second manufacturer. Specific chip models with technical specifications are given in table 4.
Table 4 - The latest AMD processors for entry-level laptops.
No. p / p | Model name | Frequency Range, GHz | Level 2 cache, Mb | Thermal package, W | The number of cores | Integrated graphics |
one. | E2-9010 | 2.0-2.2 | one | 10-15 | 2 | R2 |
2. | A6-9210 | 2.4-2.8 | R4 |
3. | A9-9410 | 3.5-2.9 | 10-25 | R5 |
For the most part, these chips have almost identical technical parameters. The key difference here is only in the frequency range and model of the integrated integrated accelerator. It is based on these parameters that you need to make a choice. If you need maximum autonomy, then select products with lower performance. If autonomy comes to the fore, then you will have to sacrifice dynamism for this.
AMD chips for organizing mid-range laptops
FX-9XXXP and A1X-9XXXR are the main AMD processors for laptops. Comparison of their characteristics with entry-level products indicates that they already have 4 computing units versus 2 that are available in entry-level products. Also, the integrated video card in this case can compete with discrete entry-level accelerators. But the weak processor part is the factor today, which significantly reduces the performance of laptops based on these chips. Therefore, you can look in their direction only in the case when at the minimum cost of a mobile computer you need the fastest graphics subsystem. The main specifications of this CPU family are shown in table 5.
Table 5 - CPU parameters from AMD for middle-class laptops.
No. p / p | CPU marking | Clock frequencies, GHz | Graphics Accelerator | Thermal package, W |
one. | FX-9830P | 3.0-3.7 | R7 | 25-45 |
2. | FX-9800P | 2.7-3.6 | R7 | 12-15 |
3. | A12-9730P | 2.8-3.5 | R7 | 25-45 |
four. | A12-9700P | 2.5-3.4 | R7 | 12-15 |
5. | A10-9630P | 2.6-3.3 | R5 | 25-45 |
6. | A10-9600P | 2.4-3.3 | R5 | 12-15 |
Recommended laptop models for each segment
The most difficult thing is to compare the 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 starting from the last parameter and it is recommended to buy when choosing an entry-level laptop Pavilion 15-AW006UR from HP. All other things being equal, with competing solutions, the video card in this case will have a certain margin of performance, and the processor will not lose much to the CPU from Intel. As a mid-range mobile PC, it is recommended to choose the Aspire E5 - 774 - 50SY from Acer. He has an i5 - 7200U chip installed, which is only slightly inferior to flagship products. And he has other technical specifications at an acceptable level, as for a middle-class laptop. Comparison of laptop processors in the niche of the most productive solutions indicated that it is best to purchase mobile computers based on 7th generation i7 chips. The most affordable, but at the same time very equipped with a laptop option, 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 this class of devices, and the equipment is excellent.
Summary
Comparison of processors for laptops of two leading chip manufacturers today clearly and clearly indicates that the leading position in most cases is occupied by products from Intel. AMD, in turn, lags significantly 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 decent alternative. In all other cases, it will be more correct to purchase laptops based on CPU from Intel. The current situation can radically change the output of processors based on the Zen architecture in 2017. But whether AMD will succeed in doing this will show time. Now it’s most correct to place a bet on Intel solutions in the niche of mid-range and premium class mobile PCs. Although their price is somewhat overestimated, the performance level more than compensates for this shortcoming.