Laptop is a necessity more than an extravagance for many people these days. It is important for students and professionals alike. With the advent of technology, there are now various options to choose from. But before one can choose the right device to use, there are also many factors to consider before buying. One of those is the central processing unit (CPU).

CPU, or simply processor, is the brain of every computer. It is basically the one responsible for all the tasks a computer carries out. That is why it is of utmost importance that one should select the one that fits one’s needs.

When it comes to processors, Intel, a semiconductor chipmaker based in Silicon Valley, is definitely a top-of-mind brand as most computers are powered by an Intel CPU. But Advanced Micro Devices (Intel), also a semiconductor company, has given Intel a run for its money and has been gaining market share in recent years. While Intel has been producing its own chips through its various factories, it is only with the acquisition of ATI, a manufacturer of graphics processing unit and chipset, by AMD in 2006 that paved the way for the firm to join Intel in delivering integrated graphics chips. Though AMD outsources its manufacturing, it still does research and development in-house.

Consumers are not only after the goodness of the products that they intend to buy. Of course, they will go for the brand with the best value for money. With this in mind, AMD chips are way cheaper compared with the ones by Intel. But AMD has also launched high-end processors called Ryzen. Still, Intel boasts a huge portfolio as compared to AMD, which is why there are still budget-friendly Intel CPUs that perform better than their competitors. In the low end of the market, however, Intel and AMD processors typically retail at about the same price, according to TechRadar, a technology-focused online publication.

With the rise of gaming here in the country, enthusiasts should know better by using a discrete graphics card or GPU (graphics processing unit), rather than an integrated CPU, especially when building a gaming PC. For laptops, however, performance- and graphic-wise, it is still possible to play on a device with integrated graphics.

While Intel produces 3D graphics, it is in integrated graphics that it stands out. Most laptop brands with Intel processor already have a separate integrated graphics on-board. It is highly efficient when it comes to single-core tasks and power-saving performance. AMD, on the other hand, has developed a single chip called Accelerated Processing Unit that combines its processor cores and its Radeon-branded graphic cores, which makes it better when it comes to high-end graphics for gaming. It is also better at carrying out numerous tasks all at once but is prone to excessive heating.

It is explained in an article by Matthew Smith in Digital Trends, a technology Web site, that Intel puts CPU processing power first rather than the graphics, which is why CPU cores are important to Intel, while AMD goes for performance per watt.

When talking about parts and availability, AMD has compatibility issues due to limited stocks of parts. Both processors have different motherboards and sockets, although Intel parts can be sourced everywhere in contrast to AMD’s.

Given all that, choosing a processor really depends on the level of functionality a consumer will require of his or her laptop computer. Be it for gaming, school or work, there is surely a suitable processor for a given purpose on the market.

But Intel and AMD are not resting on their laurels: they still keep on outdoing each another, especially when it comes to their latest innovations — and this is a win for ordinary consumers.

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