Comparison of top processors intel and amd. Comparison of AMD and Intel processors: which is better

Hello everyone, friends! Today, the topic of the article will touch on such a part of the computer as the processor. When choosing a PC, the question often arises before beginners: which processor is better to choose intel or amd? Usually, everything depends on financial resources, but there are some nuances that every user needs to know about when choosing a computer. Let's find out which is better Intel or AMD.

It's already 2017, friends! Happy new year everyone! Surely, many people are thinking about updating their car for the holidays or buying a normal car for the first time with a good processor, video card, power supply, RAM, etc. The choice of a processor is a crucial stage when purchasing a computer, so you must decide for yourself one hundred percent correctly according to your needs. There are two mega-leaders in the processor industry - Advanced Micro Devices, which produces AMD microprocessors, and Intel Corporation, which manufactures Intel microprocessors, respectively. The competition among these giants is colossal, however, they are on a par with each other.

AMD past and present

AMD vs Intel: the fight for the top

Each processor has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look at the main ones.

Pros and cons of Intel and AMD processors

Processors from AMD
Positive sides:
- since 2008, most AMD processors can squeeze out a gain of up to 20% when overclocked,
- it is possible to change the voltage in each of the processor cores,
- each user can purchase a product from AMD due to the affordable price,
- excellent value for money,
- when working in two or more powerful programs, there is no significant drop in performance,
- when replacing the processor of this manufacturer with a new one, there is no need to change the motherboard.

As you can see, friends, each processor has its advantages and disadvantages, which are offset by each other and as a result it is really difficult to say in general which one is better. For the average user, the needs are the same, for the gamer they are completely different, so in one situation it will be better to choose a processor from AMD, in another - Intel. I think now you will choose the right processor for yourself.

That's all, thank you for your attention! See you soon!

Let's see what are the main differences between the processors of the world leaders - Intel and AMD.

We will also consider their positive and negative sides.

Major CPU manufacturers

Everyone is well aware that there are two leading companies in the computer technology market that develop and manufacture the Central Processing Unit (central processing unit), or, more simply, processors.

These devices combine millions of transistors and other logic elements, and are electronic devices of the highest complexity.

The whole world uses computers, the heart of which is an electronic chip either from Intel or, therefore, it is no secret to anyone that both of these companies are constantly fighting for leadership in this area.

But let's leave these companies alone and move on to the average user, who faces the dilemma of choice - which is still preferable - Intel or AMD?

Say what you like, but there is no and cannot be an unequivocal answer to this question, since both manufacturers have a huge potential, and their CPUs are able to meet the current requirements.

When choosing a processor for your device, the user primarily focuses on its performance and cost - relying on these two criteria as the main ones.

The majority of users have long been divided into two opposing camps, becoming ardent supporters of Intel or AMD products.

Let's look at all the weak and strengths devices of these leading companies, so that when choosing a particular one, it should not be based on speculation, but on specific facts and characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages of Intel processors

So, what are the advantages of Intel processors?

• First of all, this is a very high performance and speed in applications and games, which are most optimized for Intel processors.
• Under the control of these processors, the system works with maximum stability.
• It is worth noting that the memory of the second and third levels in the Intel CPU operates at higher speeds than in similar processors from AMD.
• A large role in performance when working with optimized applications is played by multithreading, which is implemented by Intel in such CPUs as .

Advantages and disadvantages of AMD processors

• The advantages of AMD processors, first of all, include their affordability in terms of cost, which is perfectly combined with performance.
• A huge plus is the multiplatform, which allows you to replace one processor model with another without the need to change the motherboard.
• That is, a processor designed for socket AM3 can be installed on socket AM2 + without any negative consequences.
• Not to mention multitasking, which many AMD processors are great at doing up to three applications at the same time.
• In addition, the FX series processors have pretty good overclocking potential, which is sometimes extremely necessary.

• The disadvantages of AMD CPUs include higher power consumption than those of Intel, as well as operation at lower speeds of second and third level cache memory.
• It should also be noted that most processors belonging to the FX line require additional cooling, which will have to be purchased separately.
• And another disadvantage is that fewer games and applications are adapted and written for the AMD processor than for Intel.

Actual connectors from Intel

Today, many leading manufacturers CPUs equipped with two current connectors. Intel has the following:

• LGA 2011 v3 is a combined connector, which is focused on the operational assembly of high-performance personal computer both for servers and for the end user. The key feature of such a platform is the presence of a RAM controller that successfully operates in multi-channel mode. Thanks to this important feature - with such processors they are characterized by unprecedented performance. It must be said that an integrated subsystem is not used within the framework of such a platform. Unleashing the potential of such chips is possible only with the help of discrete graphics. For this, only the best video cards should be used;
• thanks to LGA, you can easily organize not only a high-performance computing system, but also a budget PC. For example, a socket LGA 1151 great for creating a mid-range computing station, at the same time it will have a powerful integrated graphics core of the Intel Graphics series and support DDR4 memory.

Current AMD Connectors

Today, AMD is promoting the following processor sockets:

• the main computing platform for such a developer is considered AM3+. The most productive CPU is considered the lineup FX, which includes up to eight compute modules. In addition, such a platform supports an integrated graphics subsystem. However, here the graphics core is included in the motherboard, and is not integrated into semiconductor crystals;
• the latest modern AMD processor socket - FM3+. AMD's new CPUs are intended to be used in desktop computers and media centers not only at the entry-level, but also at the middle level. Thanks to this ordinary user, for a fairly small amount, the most advanced integrated solution will be available.

Working Capabilities

Many people first of all pay attention to the price of the processor. It is also important for them that he can easily solve the tasks assigned to him.

So, what can both organizations offer on this point. AMD is not known for outstanding achievements.

But this processor is an excellent value for money and good performance. If it is properly configured, then you can expect stable operation without any complaints.

It is worth noting that AMD has managed to implement multitasking. Thanks to such a processor, various applications are easily launched.

With it, you can simultaneously install the game and surf the vast expanses of the Internet.

But Intel is known for more modest results in this area, which confirms the comparison of processors.

It will not be superfluous to pay attention to the possibility of overclocking, during which the performance of the AMD processor can easily be increased by twenty percent compared to the standard settings.

To do this, you just need to use additional software.

Intel outperforms AMD in almost everything except multitasking. In addition, work with Intel has always been at its best. high level.

Power consumption

Energy consumption is one of the important criteria for laptop owners. This is due to the fact that with low power consumption, the device will work longer without the need for recharging.

In addition, during such work, there is a slight release of heat, which also affects the service life of the main components of the PC.

Separately, it should be said about performance. After AMD acquired ATI, its creators were able to successfully integrate most of the graphics processing capabilities into the processor cores. Such efforts have paid off.

Those who use AMD chips for games should have no doubts that they get good performance, which is much better than equivalent chips from Intel (this is especially true for those who use a card with ATI graphics).

If it comes to a lot of multitasking, then it is better to opt for Intel, as it has HyperTreasing technology.

However, this advantage can only be used when the software application is able to support multitasking, that is, the ability to divide tasks into several small parts.

If the user needs a gaming processor, it is better to combine an AMD processor with a .

So, there is a big difference between intel and amd processor sockets. When choosing the appropriate option, consider the differences between them listed in this article. This will greatly simplify the choice of the appropriate option.

The main differences between processors

The difference between Intel and AMD processors lies, first of all, in the sockets - the sockets in which they are installed.

When choosing a motherboard, it is necessary first of all to pay attention to this fact, since it is simply impossible to find a compromise solution.

Sockets for AMD processors

Hi all! Today you will find a very interesting article. Any person at least once in his life bought a computer and no matter what: gaming or office,the first question that the sellers in the store asked him was: “On the basis of which processor do you want to buy a PC - AMD or Intel ?”, seeing your ignorance in this matter, they explained to you what is better to purchase system unit with an AMD processor, since it will come out much cheaper than with Intel, and in terms of performance it will only slightly yield to the latter. So friends, in 2017 several new models of processors from both competing companies came out and everything changed dramatically, so if you want to know why processors from AMD: A4-4000, Sempron 2650, FX 4300, and everyone's favorite Intel i3 6100 faded into the background. Is the new percent so strong Ryzen 7 1700 and what is the processorthe best in 2017read our article!

Which is better AMD or Intel in the summer of 2017

Furious disputes between fans of Intel and AMD do not subside for a second, both of them claim that their chosen processor manufacturer is unrivaled and is the leader in its field. Today I would like to express my opinion on this matter and help you figure out which of the two manufacturers is still worth stopping at. With this article, I in no way want to cause a new unleashed battle in the endless war between AMD and Intel, but only to help ordinary, unrelated users with a choice.

To start, a little introduction. Today, the computer processor market is, in fact, a duopoly. And in the face of two competing leaders are two well-known companies - AMD and Intel. They produce processors for any category of computers; in total, five categories can be conventionally distinguished. Office, home, gaming, advanced gaming and professional. Let's analyze each of them.

Office - as the name implies, they are designed to work with simple office programs and documents, suitable for watching videos, nothing more. Home - unlike the first, they have more functionality, have average hardware, allow you to use graphic programs and play weak games. Gaming - (again, the speaking name) have strong, modern hardware and allow you to play games that are demanding on system resources. Advanced gaming - the same as the previous ones, only they have the most powerful hardware. Professional - used for a very narrow range of tasks (video editing, graphic works etc.), have, as a rule, multi-threaded processors and a huge volume random access memory(unfortunately today, we will not consider them due to the low demand and the small amount of information and tests from which at least some conclusions could be drawn). As I wrote above, both companies have a bunch of processors in any category, but we will consider the best representatives, so to speak, flagships in their price segment.

Speaking of price. I think for most users, price, along with performance, is a fundamental factor when choosing a processor, but you should not forget about others as well, for example: availability in stores, reluctance to order abroad, discounts or others. profitable offer, the bitter experience of owning a particular brand and much, much more. Perhaps you already have a motherboard with a certain socket and that is why you choose, say, AMD over Intel, or Intel over AMD. What I mean by this. And the fact that the final decision when choosing depends on a huge number of factors and circumstances, and in your particular situation, it may differ from mine. Ultimately, whether or not you agree with me is up to you.

So let's get started. Based on prices, I will use the well-known online store Regard. https://www.regard.ru

The first category in line are office computers. When choosing a processor for a buyer, first of all, price and reliability are important. If we look at all the processors in this price category, we will see that the vast majority are processors from AMD.

And if you are somehow interested in cheap stones, then there will be nothing surprising for you here. AMD has been a leader in the budget segment for a very long time. However, this is from which side to look. The first, cheapest processor on the scene from Intel appears the famous Celeron G3900(2160 rubles) which, unlike the brightest representatives of the "red" army: AMD A4-4000(2080 rubles) and AMD Sempron 2650(1710 rubles) has one very big advantage - it supports 4K video playback. And it is on its basis that I recommend assembling a car if the most important thing for you is watching movies (you still won’t be able to assemble a game car based on any of these stones). In addition, the processor has a modern socket - 1151. This means a large selection of motherboards and the ability to upgrade a PC without replacing the motherboard.

For example, here is the entire selection of boards on FM2 and AM1 sockets in the standby.

You will say that, for example, a processor with socket FM2 is compatible with motherboard having an FM2+ socket. Yes, this is true, but the choice is still not great regarding the Intel 1151. But for you number of results per query per 1151 sockets.

I do not think that the situation with the availability of goods in other stores is fundamentally different.

Although performance is not so important in this category, since the CPU mainly acts as a plug to open documents and watch videos, but still, here's a comparison of the performance of the A4-4000 and Celeron G3900 processors using two special services, the first http://www.cpubenchmark.net (how to use this service is shown in)

In the end, it's up to you, but for me personally, at this stage, the score is 0-1 not in favor of AMD . Of course, if you only need to open and close Microsoft Word, then take AMD, since the price of the cheapest model with a built-in video core (A4-6300) is 620 rubles lower than the cheapest model from Intel Celeron G3900. I do not consider the rest of the Celerons due to the poor, in my opinion, price / performance ratio. And most of them are on socket 1150, which is obsolete.

Going further and next in line we have processors for home computers with advanced multimedia and light gaming capabilities. Here, for a long time, AMD has been out of competition with a heavy flagship in the face of FX4300. But everything changed when, relatively recently, Intel introduced heavy artillery in the face of Pentium G4560. After such a turn, the situation on the market has changed dramatically and right now, while you are reading this, all the shelves with the new "stump" are being swept clean in stores, leaving the experienced old man from AMD on the sidelines (and not only him). And all because Intel in this moment pursues an active policy aimed at moving AMD in the budget sector. The new "stump" is a representative of the latest generation of Kaby Lake processors and has 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to the well-known Hyper-threading technology. The price difference between the flagships at the moment is only 350 rubles in favor of AMD,

but performance is on the side Intel.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net

Site performance comparison http://cpu.userbenchmark.com

I think the result is obvious here, the FX loses in performance, yes, it can be overclocked a little, but the “stump” will still be ahead. Plus, do not forget that the G4560 has a more common 1151 socket, unlike the fx 4300 with an AM3 + socket. I want to remind you that I do not consider other models of processors, because I consider them inappropriate for purchase in terms of price / performance, all the processors reviewed are the best in their category.Many now probably have a question: where did everyone's favorite Intel i3 6100? The answer is very simple, it was overshadowed by a new "stump", just as it was overshadowed by FX. At a price almost 2 times cheaper (3770 rubles versus 6680 rubles), they have almost the same performance.

If so, why pay more, right? Of course, the second one can be overclocked well, but this is a completely different story, besides, as practice shows, only 10% of users are engaged in overclocking iron. Yes, and for overclocking, you need a special mother on a 170 chipset, which costs significantly more and a more sophisticated cooler, which also costs a pretty penny.

So, summing up the chapter, we get that AMD is losing the current battle with the collapse, and in this category I would also choose Intel. I can already see rotten tomatoes flying at me, but let's not jump to final conclusions. In addition, at the beginning I mentioned that the article is purely subjective and until we move on to the next category, I would like to dwell separately on a pebble from AMD FX 8300 for 6280 rubles. For a relatively small cost, we get a percent with 4.2 GHz and 8 cores. Plus, he runs well.

This processor is a legend and is perfect for video editors or other multi-threaded tasks or games. I don't even see a good competing processor from Intel that can handle multi-threaded tasks just as well. If you have about the same budget, you are engaged in video editing and want to play games that are average in terms of system load and require a lot of threads, then feel free to take it! AMD is out of competition here. And yes, I did not include this percentage in any of the groups, because, in my opinion, it is somewhere in the middle between home and gaming. By the way, such processors as FX 8320, FX 8320e, FX 8350, FX 8370, FX 8370e are essentially variations of the same processor and I do not advise overpaying for them because they all chase about the same, and the benefit for overpayment is minimal.

The next type of computer is gaming. The top model from Intel is the i5 6400 for 10,600 rubles, as it has an undeniable advantage over its counterparts in the form of a chic bus overclocking. After overclocking (), it turns into an i5 7600K, which costs 1.5 times more. Other brothers of this processor such as i5 6500, i5 6600, i5 7500 are significantly more expensive, but this is of little use. In general, not worth the money. That is why the i5 6400 is the best representative of the Intel army in this segment.

The closest competitor from the “reds” is the recently rolled out cannon on the deck, which everyone has been waiting for AMD for so long Ryzen 5 1400 for 10610 rubles. A solid quad core with 8 threads and a turbo frequency of 3.4GHz.

But the question is, did this gun fire? The closest competitor for the i5 6400 before the release of Ryzen was the FX-9590, which, to be honest, did not even stand next to it. Of course, if you are a seasoned editor and do nothing else on your computer except editing and rendering video for days, then perhaps FX had some meaning for you, in other cases it didn’t. 59% of the total overclocking of the i5 6400 spoke for itself, I already wrote about this, I will not repeat myself.

Many argue that with the release of Ryzen, the situation has changed radically. Is it so? Let's figure it out. As we can see, the price of the processors is almost identical. What about performance? One site shows the superiority of the AMD Ryzen 5 1400.

Another site is not so categorical and p performance plus, minus the same (note that in Intel tests i5 6400 not overclocked),

Ryzen wins only in multi-threading, as well as many other processors from AMD. Let me remind you that it makes sense to buy the I5 6400 only for overclocking, because it is with the help of overclocking that it becomes the flagship. The Ryzen 5 1400 is also capable of overclocking, but the overall gain is much worse. This gem barely hits the 3.8GHz mark, while the i5, with proper skill, can hit the 4.5GHz mark! Do not believe the numerous videos where Ryzen calmly takes the mark of 4.1GHz, such videos were released relatively recently, and AMD itself provided processors for review in them, and it is clear that they did not provide processors from a bad batch and with poor characteristics. If your processor takes the desired frequency - good, but be prepared for the fact that this may not be the case. Many will now say that multithreading is the main attribute in the modern world and all games are “sharpened” for it. This statement is only partly true. I want to remind you that the first i7 with 8 threads was released back in 2008, but only now there is a global optimization of games for multithreading and it is not known how long it will take.Also, not all games are friendly with a large number of threads (for example, everyone's favorite tanks use 1 core and 1 thread in general).Based on everything written above, I can conclude that if you need a processor for graphics and video work, or for streaming or other complex computing, then definitely take Ryzen.In this regard, AMD have succeeded for a long time.But if you only need a PC for games, then the i5 6400 will be much better.The older brother of the new generation i5 I don’t recommend taking the 7400 at all, it won’t be able to outdo the younger one in terms of overclocking.The most attentive can say that under the i5 6400 overclocking requires both a special motherboard and cool p pumped, and this is a different level of the budget. Yes, I agree, but Ryzen motherboards are not cheap either. Don't believe? Let's get a look.

As you can see, the prices are almost the same. Well, a cooler in both systems will need a tower cooler to capture high frequencies. So there is no difference in terms of money.

As for the more advanced versions of gaming computers, the situation here is the same as in the previous category. The i7 6700 (with bus overclocking) and AMD Ryzen 7 1700. From the Intel side, the i7 6700K and i7 7700 can also act, they are all about the same and very good.

Unfortunately, for full-fledged overclocking and stable operation, the new Ryzen processors need RAM with a frequency above 3000 MHz, which is quite problematic to find at the moment, and in the end it also costs a pretty penny, plus do not forget that on new mothers under Ryzen memory does not always behave correctly. AMD is trying to fix this absurdity, but so far the situation is just that.

Ryzen appeared on the market relatively recently and has become the best choice for multi-threaded tasks, for which special thanks to AMD. For gaming stations, it is better to choose the i7 6700 with overclocking, since Intel's performance is usually higher when performing computational operations within the load on a single core. In general, I myself wanted to switch to Ryzen, but, in my opinion, the product, although very successful, is still raw. Now the optimization of new processors is in full swing, so I would advise you to wait, because, as it seems to me, AMD will eventually surpass Intel, the era of four cores will pass (as it was with 2 cores) and the time will come for everyone's favorite multi-threading but as they say, wait and see. As for other models, the unsuccessful i7-4770K and Xeon E3-1276V3 are not worth your attention. The Ryzen 7 1700X costs almost five thousand more, but it's also not worth the investment. Increasing the multiplier in the version without X will give the same performance.

So after this detailed analysis flights, I think you can smoothly complete the article. Finally, I want to say that any company cannot be better than its direct competitor in everything. Everyone has good and bad models, their pros and cons. And there are also a huge number of factors that affect the products that we, ordinary users, do not know about. Choose a processor for your specific tasks and needs, regardless of the brand, and respect the opinions of others. I also want to note that prices and the market situation in the modern computer world are changing every day, today one is more profitable, and tomorrow another. This article may not be current at the time of your reading. I hope I helped you in some way with current situation affairs. Thank you all for your attention, see you soon in new articles!

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Only a specialist who follows trends in the world of technological progress can advise. We will try to understand such a difficult and specific issue within the framework of the article, since the acquisition of a computer, in particular a processor, is an investment in the future, and the efficiency of investment should be maximum.

In fact, the price is a reflection of the power of the processor, but there are other nuances, in some cases even a cheaper model may be more productive than another, more expensive option. Naturally, when buying expensive models of equipment, their purpose is to perform resource-intensive tasks, otherwise you should think about the effectiveness of the investment.

Within the framework of the article, the main importance will not be given to the most expensive processors, you can already purchase them, being confident in the power that covers all the needs of a modern person. The selection of the best devices will be based on price/performance ratio.

1.AMD A8-7670K

List best processors 2017 opens AMD A8-7670K with specifications:

• Cores: 4;
• Consumption: 95W;
• Integrated graphics adapter: Radeon R7;
• Core frequency: 3.6GHz;
• Socket type used: FM2+;
• Second level cache: 4 MB.

The main advantage of AMD processors is a more affordable price than the counterpart from Intel. Today the situation has become even more interesting, in the near future it is planned to launch processors on the modern Zen architecture. With the release of more new version, predecessors will fall in price. Despite some moral obsolescence of the device, it is the most successful of the line.

It is based on a 28 nm process technology, which accordingly draws in a large power of 95 watts. The processor frequency is impressive - 3.6 GHz, and with overclocking 3.9 GHz. At the same time, the use of the device as the main video adapter is extremely convenient, since the graphics chip Radeon R7 240 GPU at 757 MHz is built-in with expanded capabilities thanks to additional cores.

2.Intel Core i7-6800K

This device rightfully bears the title of the best processor for games in 2017, since the power is simply prohibitive, not a single game can resist it.

• Cores: 6;
• Consumption: 140W;
• Adapter:
• Frequency: 3.4GHz;
• Socket: LGA2011-3;
• Second level cache: 15 MB.

It is considered one of the best options for both home and work PCs. Of course, for such a miracle of technological thought, you will have to part with considerable funds, but the result is worth it. The advantages of the processor are really many, one of them is an unlocked multiplier, that is, it is possible to independently set the required PC performance.

The basis contains multi-threaded cores (6 pcs.), which support automatic overclocking. If necessary, Intel Turbo Boost is launched, which boosts performance up to 3.6 GHz, additionally there is overclocking for faster cores up to 3.8 GHz. The device works on the basis of 14 nm process technology, contains a cache of 15 MB, and is also capable of processing up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM.

3.Intel Core i3-6100

If the question of which processor to choose in 2017 takes into account financial costs and there is no need for excessive loads on the PC, then the i3-6100 is an excellent choice:

• Cores: 2;
• Consumption: 65W;
• Adapter: Intel HD Graphics 530;
• Frequency: 3.7GHz;
• Socket: LGA 1151;
• Cache: 256x2 Kb.

Inexpensive and powerful processor- this is reality. So the Intel i3-6100 boasts impressive performance and at the same time an affordable price. The processor already belongs to the 7th generation of Intel processors and includes its advantages, such as a 14 nm process technology and is considered the cheapest representative of the category. At the same time, it contains cores of 3.7 GHz, with a reasonable consumption of 65 watts. There are 2 cores providing 4 threads that can handle almost any demanding application.

4.Intel Xeon E5-2670

High power for a low price - this is about Xeon. Which processor to choose for a gaming computer with a limited number of funds - Intel Xeon E5-2670. If you are not limited financially, then it is better to look at the i7 generation.

• Cores: 8;
• Consumption: 115W;
• Adapter: missing;
• Frequency: 2.6GHz;
• Socket: FCLGA1011;
• Second level cache: 20 MB.

Despite the moral aging of the processor (released back in 2010), it is able to process even new games with high quality, and the price has decreased somewhat during this time. The device can be called quite high-quality, affordable and powerful even by the standards of 2017.

5.AMD Sempron 3850

The Sempron 3850 is the best budget processor of 2017. It is the cheapest device with 4 cores, although you can’t count on high quality indicators, it’s understandable:

• Cores: 4;
• Consumption: 25W;
• Adapter: Radeon HD 8280;
• Frequency: 1.3GHz;
• Socket: AM1;
• Second level cache: 2 MB.

The production technology includes 28 nm, while operating at a low frequency, which is reflected in low power consumption. Its advantage is, in addition to the price, an integrated adapter, which makes it more productive than other options built on Baytrail. The main disadvantage is that only one channel of RAM is supported.

In the article, processors from different price niches were gradually touched upon, so the comparison was made not on the basis of maximum performance, but on the best power-to-price ratio.

If you have any questions on the topic "TOP 5 best processors in 2017", you can ask them in the comments

The quality and speed of the functioning of a personal computer, as well as its performance, largely depend on the processor. This becomes clearly understandable when the PC refuses to cope with the tasks that the user sets before it. There is only one way out - to upgrade your computer and look for a new, more productive and modern processor. So that the purchase does not turn out to be useless, you need to clearly imagine how to choose a processor and what parameters it must have in order to cope with specific tasks. Similar problems arise for those who decide to assemble their own car with their own hands. Let's try to answer all questions as briefly and concisely as possible, as well as study the modern market and determine the best processors in 2018.

The main subject of controversy when choosing a processor is the manufacturer. There are currently two companies competing in the market - AMDandIntel. Arguing over which product is better is like the eternal debate about iOS and Android, or Canon and Nikon. Fans of this or that system are ready to tirelessly prove their point of view, while there is an “arms race” between the companies themselves, so it is impossible to unambiguously answer which processors are better, AMD or Intel. Someone once said that this is like a matter of religion or even a matter of habit.

We will return to the manufacturer's question, try to understand their proposals in more detail, but for now we note that when choosing a processor, you should still pay attention to its architecture, number of cores, clock speed, cache memory size and other parameters.

Processor socket, or socket type

The processor is installed in a special socket on the motherboard, so the type of socket (socket) they must match. different types connectors are incompatible with each other - a system assembled in this way will not work. Motherboard manufacturers indicate which processors a particular model is compatible with. Information is available in the instructions for the motherboard or on official websites. If you are building a computer yourself, then do not take an outdated motherboard: in a couple of years, when you want to upgrade your PC, you will have to buy not only a new processor, but also a new motherboard.

There are up to 30 different types of sockets, many of them are already considered obsolete.

Intel processors are now available with the following sockets:

For processorsAMDThe relevant sockets are:

• FM2/FM2+- inexpensive simple processors that are suitable for assembling conventional office systems and simple gaming PCs;
• AM3+- one of the most common sockets, on its basis it is possible to assemble systems of any power, up to the most advanced gaming computers;
• AM4 - a socket for the most productive processors that are used to build professional and gaming PCs;
• AM1 - a socket for the simplest processors.

Sockets LGA1155, LGA775AM3, LGA2011, AM2/+ are deprecated.

Number of cores and threads

The core of the process is its heart, brain and soul. The first multi-core processor was introduced to the world by Intel, but there is still an opinion that the idea was stolen from AMD. Let's not stir up the past - the main thing is that today single-core processors can no longer be found. It remains to figure out how many cores are really needed.

If we simplify a little, we can come to the following conclusions:

• 2 cores- option for the computer that will be used to work with the base set office programs, launch the browser and watch the video;
• 4 cores- an option for both office use and for launching medium-sized toys. It all depends on frequency and architecture;
• 6, 8 and 10 cores– powerful computers for running 3D programs and the most modern and demanding games. A good option for a gamer.

Be aware that there are programs that cannot load balance across cores, and they will run faster on a 2-core processor with a higher clock speed than on a 4-core processor, but at a lower frequency.

Please note that there is processors with virtual extra cores. Special technology (Hyper-Threading for Intel, or SMT for AMD) allows you to clone each physical core, That's why the number of data processing threads does not always equal the number of cores. If you are told about an 8-thread processor, then it may have 4 or 8 real cores.

CPU frequency

Many users naively believe that the higher the clock speed, the better and faster the computer will run. This is not entirely true, more precisely so, but under certain conditions. Let's figure it out.

Clock speed refers to the number of operations a processor performs per second. Hence, the higher the frequency, the faster the "brains" work, and a 3.5 GHz processor would be preferable to a 2.8 GHz processor, for example. It really is, when it comes to processors of the same line where the same kernels are used.

Performance depends not only on the frequency, but also on the processor architecture and cache size, so you should not focus only on the frequency, but within the same line it is a significant factor.

Process technology

The process technology determines the size of the transistors on the processor and the distance between them. The method of photolithography is used to deposit conductors, insulators and other elements on a silicon substrate. The resolution of the equipment used forms a certain process technology and affects the size of the transistors and the distance between them.

The process technology is measured in nm and the smaller it is, the more elements can be placed on the same area. At the moment, the most modern processors have a 14 nm process technology.

This setting has a very indirect effect on performance. Much more significantly, it affects the heating of the processor. Improvement in technology allows each time to release a processor with a lower technical process, they heat up less. If we compare the old generation processor and the new one with the same performance, then the new one will heat up less. Since the performance increases in new models, the old and new “stones” are heated approximately the same. Thus, reducing the process technology allows manufacturers to create ever faster and more productive processors without increasing the degree of their heating.

Cache

Cache memory is a built-in ultra-fast memory that helps store and process data between cores, RAM and other buses. Essentially, this connecting link between RAM and CPU. Thanks to this buffer, you can quickly access frequently used data. In modern processors, the cache has several levels (usually three, less often two). The more memory on them, the faster the "stone" will work, but again, this is true only for processors of the same line.

Memory is unevenly distributed across levels:

• L1 is first level cache, its volume is minimal (8-128 Kb), but the speed is the highest. The frequency usually reaches the level of the processor frequency;
• L2- second level cache, larger in volume (from 128 Kb) than the first one, but slower than it;
• L3 is the most capacious, but the slowest cache. On the other hand, even the third level cache is faster than RAM

If you need to choose a processor for a gaming computer or to run powerful professional programs with high graphics requirements, then it is better to take processor with the maximum possible amount of memory of the third level(the parameter usually ranges from 2 to 20 MB). This well-established truth has recently been destroyed by tests of new processors, which show that cache memory has practically no effect on performance in games. However, this parameter should not be written off - a good amount of cache memory will speed up data archiving and writing data from flash memory to a hard drive.

Integrated graphics core

Improvement in production technology made it possible to place various microcircuits inside the processor, incl. graphics core. The main advantage of this solution is that there is no need to buy a video card separately. They are built into the processor, as a rule, rather mediocre video cards in terms of capabilities, therefore models with an integrated graphics core suitable for users who graphics capabilities secondary. These are budget processors for the office environment, but they will handle video from the Internet, most non-specific programs, ordinary toys and even entry-level 3D games.

If your goal is to assemble a powerful gaming computer, then it is better to take a processor without an integrated graphics core and then buy a powerful video card. Considering that it costs a lot, and many people have to save some more time for it, a processor with an integrated video card can be useful in this case too.

What is the bitness of the processor, and is it so important?

The bit depth of the processor shows how many bits the computer can process in one clock cycle. This setting affects performance. Currently, the most commonly used processors for 32 and 64 bits, there are also 128-bit processors, but their segment is still very limited.

Is a 64-bit processor always better than a 32-bit one, and what are the differences? If the processor has 2 cores, and 2-3 GB of RAM is used, then you will not feel the difference. A 64-bit processor, when using multi-core processors, can significantly increase performance when running 64-bit applications. In fairness, it should be noted that the increase in performance will not always be noticeable.

The main advantageous difference between 64-bit processors- This is the ability to work with RAM of 4 GB or more. If you have even 8 GB of RAM in your computer, a 32-bit processor will see and use only 3.75 GB of them.

Heat dissipation

The more powerful the processor, the more it heats up. It is good that the improvement of the technical process can significantly reduce heating. Today, the value of TDP, W, is used to assess heat dissipation. The smaller the value, the less heat generation. In portable computers, everything is well calculated, installed and works without additional cooling. If it is necessary to collect very powerful computer, then you can hardly do without a cooler built into the processor (such models are marked as BOX, without a cooler - OEM).

If the system TDP 60 W or less, even the complete or simplest cooling system can be used. With heat dissipation up to 95 W it is better to take high-quality medium format fans - the complete one will not cope. At TDP 125 W or more you can not do without a tower cooler with several copper tubes.

Unlocked multiplier

If you are going to overclock the processor, then make sure that it is possible to do it in regular ways. It is important that the multiplier change function is also supported by the motherboard.

AMD or Intel - which is better?

There is no objective answer to this question and cannot be. Thousands of pages on the Internet have been created on this topic, disputes sometimes turn into scandals using obscene language - this is how users protect the products of their favorite manufacturer. Often, all these disputes are reminiscent of trying to figure out which is better, pineapple or sausage - there can be no consensus here.

In some segments, AMD is better, in some - Intel, but often even these opinions are subjective, so when choosing, rely purely on your subjective opinion - we will not interfere with you. Well, for those who have not yet decided on their subjective opinion, here are a few facts.

The competition between the two leaders is fierce, but it is believed that Intel is releasing more powerful processors that AMD cannot keep up with, and AMD, in turn, offers better budget solutions. But this opinion is too generalized, since Intel also has good inexpensive processors, while AMD offers good top-end solutions. In terms of durability and reliability, the products of both companies are on an equal footing.

To decide which processor is better, AMD or Intel, you need to clearly define goals for yourself and answer the question of what the computer is going for. Moreover, the number of cores and frequency do not always determine performance - it's all about a completely different architecture. Therefore, use special sites where you can view test results, compare with analogues and see what tasks this or that processor is best at.

We understand that we are touching on a very delicate and controversial topic, but still, let's talk about the general advantages of the processors of the two companies.

Processor BenefitsIntel:

• high performance and speed. Working with RAM is better optimized than AMD;
• a large number of games and programs that are optimized specifically for Intel;
• cache memory of the second and third levels often operates at higher speeds than on AMD processors;
• lower power consumption.

Processor DisadvantagesIntel:

• higher price;
• they are inferior to AMD processors in multitasking, despite the fact that they win when working with one process;
• strong binding to specific sockets, so when buying a new process, you will most likely have to change the motherboard as well.

Recently there was a real scandal. In processors from Intel, a vulnerability, which allows third-party malware to access the structure of a protected portion of kernel memory and discover where sensitive information is stored. Our passwords, messages, photos and payment card data can be read and used by intruders. Troubleshooting and emergency update operating system slow down computers by 20-30%. While the company was trying to resolve the conflict, it turned out that such there is a vulnerability in processors fromAMD.

Benefits of processorsAMD:

• affordable price, so many recognize the manufacturer's processors as the best in terms of price / quality ratio;
• multitasking;
• multiplatform;
• modern processors of the company have good overclocking potential, so they are catching up with Intel in terms of performance.

Disadvantages of processorsAMD:

The best processors of 2018

Best Intel Processors 2018

The kings of performance, Intel processors are presented in different price categories. AT in the public sector, these are the Celeron and Pentium lines. By the way, in terms of performance, they are superior to similarly priced AMD processors, but inferior to them in multitasking. For entry-level gaming PCs and multimedia computers, processors are suitable Core i3 , for more powerful - Core i5 , for the most powerful gaming - Core i7 .

Core i7-7700K

Despite the existence of more productive Core i7-6950X, Intel Core i7-7820X, Intel Core i9-7900X and some others, the Core i7-7700K can be considered the most balanced in terms of price and quality. The frequency is 4.2-4.7 GHz, there are 4 cores in stock, there is a built-in video card, but it will not be enough for top games, but it can easily cope with running video in the highest resolution. The price is about $400.

Core i7-6950X Extreme Edition

It costs obscenely expensive (about $1700), is equipped with 10 cores, received 25 MB cache of the third level, has a frequency of 3 GHz, supports Hyper-Threading technology. Power and strength! However, for assembling a gaming computer, the capabilities of the processor will even be too much. This solution is only for those who use very specific and highly demanding programs, and then you can find a suitable solution for less.

Core i5-7500

If you want to build a gaming PC, and the budget for buying a processor is modest, then the $200 Core i5-7500 is a good solution. Performance, L3 cache (6 MB versus 8 MB) are almost as good as the Core i7-7700K, and with a good video card, the processor can handle any game. There is a built-in graphics core that supports 4K video. 4 cores operate at a frequency of 3.4-3.8 GHz.

Core i3-7100

Two cores, four threads, a frequency of 3.9 GHz and low power consumption, combined with an affordable price ($110-170), makes this processor a popular favorite. Users note that when using a sufficient amount of RAM and graphics memory, this processor can pull even those games where Core i5 and Core i7 are indicated in the requirements.

Pentium G4560

The processor has 2 cores, but 4 threads, a frequency of 3.5 GHz. The cost is about $70, so if you need to build an inexpensive gaming PC, then this is a good option. It cannot be compared with more expensive solutions, but if you have an appropriate video card, it will handle modern games at minimum settings, and older and less demanding games will generally fly.

Pentium Haswell

A good option for an office PC. There are 2 cores, an integrated graphics processor, a frequency of 2.3-3.6 GHz. The cache volume of the third level is 3 MB. Heat dissipation is small. The cost is about $85.

Celeron Skylake

A simple inexpensive processor for computers designed to work with documents, browser and video viewing. Key features: 2 cores, frequency 2.6-2.9 GHz, 2 MB L3 cache, minimal heat dissipation, there is a graphics core. The cost is $45.

Best AMD Processors 2018

Ruler budget processors - Sempron, Athlon, Phenom, A4 and A6. A8 and A10 can be used for multimedia and light games, series FX- for gaming computers of the middle class, and Ryzen These are top processors. You can buy AMD processors on the website: all modern AMD developments are presented to the attention of potential buyers, as well as photographs of models, detailed lists of characteristics, brief descriptions and instruction manuals. To make it easier for you, we have selected some of the most interesting models suitable for different tasks.

Ryzen Threadripper 1920X

The honorable first place goes to the processor from the flagship Ryzen series - Threadripper 1920X. A 12-core "beast" with a clock speed of 3.5-4 GHz simply could not remain outside our rating. Incredible 24 streams allow you to make the most of your PC's performance. The processor is equipped with DDR4 memory (4 channels) with error correction function, which guarantees an extremely high data transfer rate. The cost is about $990.

Ryzen 7 1800X

Second place also goes to the representative of Ryzen - 7 1800X. This processor differs from the leader in the absence of virtualization technology, the number of cores (Ryzen 7 has eight of them) and, accordingly, threads (16), as well as RAM channels. There is support for an unlocked multiplier. This model is great for gamers - it "pulls" 3D games and simulation programs even at maximum settings. It costs about $480.

Ryzen 5 1600X

The top three also includes the Ryzen 5 1600X, a strong contender to the competing Core i5 family. Its characteristics are, first of all, 6 cores / 12 threads, Socket AM4 connector and two channels of RAM. Frequency - 3.6 GHz with the possibility of overclocking to 4 GHz. There is support for an unlocked multiplier. It costs about $260.

AMD A10-7860K

In fourth place is a productive 4-core processor designed for home PCs, as well as office use. Model with integrated graphics. Clock frequency– 3.6 GHz. It copes well with running games online (medium settings) with good performance and without overheating of the hardware. The price is about $100.

AMD FX-6300

Not a bad alternative to productive solutions from Intel. The processor works with 6 cores, has an unlocked multiplier, a clock speed of 3.5 GHz with the ability to overclock to 4.1 GHz. Socket - Socket AM3+. The performance is good, suitable for games and demanding applications, there is no integrated graphics core. The cost is about $85.

Athlon X4 880K

The TOP model from the Athlon 880K family closes - a 4-core processor for home PCs. The clock frequency of the model is 4.0-4.2 GHz. Together with the Radeon Athlon 880K graphics card, it delivers excellent performance and demonstrates all the positive qualities of AMD products. The cost is $84.

There is also a more budget solution from this series. The Athlon X4 860K runs on 4 cores at 3.7 GHz, but there is no integrated graphics core. The cost is $45.

You can still write a lot, give arguments for a long time, argue, test and reflect. We wrap up on this, and leave you alone with your thoughts.