Differences between AMD and Intel

AMD vs. Intel

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel Corporation are two of the largest semiconductor companies in the world and the primary producers of x86-architecture central processing units (CPUs) for the personal computer and data center markets. Founded in 1969 and 1968 respectively, both companies originated as part of the Fairchild Semiconductor alumni network. For decades, Intel maintained a dominant market share, while AMD often competed by offering lower-priced alternatives.

Historically, the two companies had a complex relationship, which included a ten-year technology exchange agreement beginning in 1982 that allowed AMD to act as a second-source manufacturer for Intel's processors for the IBM PC. This dynamic shifted as both companies began developing their own proprietary technologies, leading to direct competition. In recent years, beginning with the introduction of its Zen architecture in 2017, AMD has gained significant market share across consumer, server, and mobile segments.

Comparison Table

Category	AMD	Intel
Founded	1969	1968
Headquarters	Santa Clara, California, U.S.	Santa Clara, California, U.S.
Manufacturing Model	Fabless (outsources production, primarily to TSMC)	Integrated Device Manufacturer (designs and manufactures in-house)
Key Consumer CPU Brands	Ryzen, Threadripper	Core, Core Ultra
Key Server CPU Brands	EPYC	Xeon
Typical Core Architecture	Uniform high-performance cores.	Hybrid architecture with Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores).
Integrated Graphics (iGPU)	Generally considered to have stronger performance in its APU lines.	Included on most non-F-series CPUs; features technologies like Quick Sync.
Overclocking Support	Most processors are unlocked for overclocking on compatible motherboards.	Generally limited to unlocked "K-series" processors on premium motherboards.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between AMD and Intel

Business and manufacturing models

A primary operational difference between the two companies is their approach to manufacturing. Intel operates as an Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM), meaning it designs and manufactures its own semiconductor chips in its own fabrication plants, or "fabs". This vertical integration model allows Intel direct control over its production process from start to finish.

In contrast, AMD operates on a fabless model. After spinning off its manufacturing division as GlobalFoundries in 2009, AMD has focused on the design and sale of its chips, while outsourcing the physical production to dedicated foundries, most notably Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This strategy allows AMD to leverage cutting-edge manufacturing processes without bearing the high capital costs of building and maintaining fabs.

Technological approaches

Intel and AMD processors are based on the x86 instruction set architecture but feature different microarchitectures. In its recent consumer processors, Intel has adopted a hybrid architecture that combines two types of cores on a single chip: Performance-cores (P-cores) for demanding tasks and Efficient-cores (E-cores) for background processes and power efficiency.

AMD has generally utilized a uniform core design in its consumer CPUs, where all cores are high-performance. For many of its modern processors, AMD employs a "chiplet" design, where multiple smaller dies are connected within a single processor package. This modular approach can improve manufacturing yields and scalability compared to a traditional monolithic design where the entire CPU is on a single piece of silicon.

Most Intel processors include integrated graphics, making them functional without a discrete graphics card. While many AMD processors also feature integrated graphics, their lineup includes Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that combine the CPU and a more powerful GPU on a single chip, often providing better graphics performance than Intel's standard integrated solutions.