Intel vs. AMD for gaming

Intel vs AMD: It is one of the most common questions asked when looking for a new gaming PC or laptop. As with many other similar decisions that are made in the process of getting a new gaming PC, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. It is important to weigh the pros and cons and to run a comparison of computer processors. We will help you decide what the best CPU for gaming is for you below. 

There are many reasons you may want to upgrade your CPU to improve your PC’s overall performance, and each CPU has different factors and enhancements which you will want to consider when deciding which one is right for you. 

Clock speed is important for any PC or laptop, but critical when it comes to gaming. CPU clock speed is a measure of how many instructions it can execute per second. The more instructions it can execute in a shorter space of time, the faster the processing time is. With a faster clock speed, your whole PC will be faster, resulting in a smoother performance when gaming.  

There is a practice known as overclocking, which can push the boundaries of the performance of the CPU beyond its default limits, but it is best to learn more about how to overclock your PC before trying it out yourself. 

Cache refers to a very small amount of memory linked to the CPU that is able to store frequently accessed. The benefit of cache being part of the CPU is that it makes accessing this data extremely fast, which improves the overall performance of the CPU and your system. 

A core is a processing unit and within the processor there are multiple cores. In some processors these cores might all perform the same function, while in others they cores might have different roles, such as being optimized for performance or efficiency.  

AMD typically set their 16-core processor to all carry out the same function, whereas Intel will typically ensure that there are performance cores and efficient cores within the same multi-core processor. Efficient cores are used on tasks that don’t require as much processing power, and performance cores are used to tackle tasks that require more processing power to run more effectively.  

Threads are virtual sequences of instructions executed by a CPU. Threads run in parallel but are divided into individual tasks to help minimize the strain these tasks can have on the available hardware of the PC, again making the running of the CPU more efficient altogether.  All of these aspects play an integral role in how well a laptop or PC can perform when under the strain of demanding software of games that continue to grow and grow in terms of memory.   

With AMD using identical multi-core processors but Intel’s having different roles, it is important to consider whether or not your PC is used predominantly for gaming. If this is the case, then an AMD CPU might be the answer, as the cores running through the processor are predominantly made to run in tandem with each other which will make for a better gaming experience.   

If you are running software that won’t be as intensive for the CPU but will also be gaming, the Intel CPU might be better suited to your PC usage, as their cores are designed for both gaming and carrying out other tasks. 

Framerate or FPS refers to the number of frames of an image are displayed per second. Monitors do have an impact here too, so it is important to ensure that you have the right monitor to go with the right PC, otherwise your PC will be generating frames too quickly for the monitor to display. The more powerful the processor, the more capable it will be to run demanding games and therefore the framerate will not suffer as a result.  

The CPU can impact the framerate by not performing to its full potential, so if the CPU is struggling to keep up with the demands of the software, the framerate will suffer as a result. Both AMD and Intel offer technology alongside some of their processors to ensure that poor framerate doesn’t become an issue, even if the processors start to struggle.   

Intel’s Application Performance Optimization or APO helps boost the framerate performance by 20% while simultaneously improving the power efficiency of the processor. AMD’s Framerate Target Control allows uses to maximize the CPU’s ability to enhance the smoothness of framerates during gaming sessions, ensuring that lag is not interrupting your experience. Framerate Target Control simultaneously helps reduce the GPU’s power consumption helping the hardware to remain cooler and quieter overall, perfect for when you’re in the middle of a longer campaign. 

This depends on a number of factors such as your budget and how demanding the games are that you’ll be playing. Whatever your priorities are when shopping for a CPU, it is important to weigh these up before putting together your gaming PC as the CPU is at the heart of the build. 

AMD CPUs tend to be more popular amongst the gaming community, most notably for their performance across the board. As mentioned earlier, the framerate is a key aspect of a smooth gaming experience, and this seems to be an area that AMD focuses on for the CPUs. The AMD Ryzen range of CPUs are designed specifically with gaming in mind, so their emphasis on high base clock speeds bodes well for anyone wanting to build a gaming PC around this CPU. However, the Ryzen CPUs come at a price, and a high one to get some of the best performance. 

Intel on the other hand offers respectable performance for a lower price. Intel offers more entry-level CPUs, so if you’re more of a beginner to building a gaming PC and have a tighter budget, Intel CPUs might give you more of what you need in terms of being inexpensive but still powerful. 

When either building your PC from scratch or just upgrading your hardware for your gaming PC piece by piece, the best thing to do is decide what is a priority for you when gaming on your PC. If you need an efficient processor that will also handle other tasks that you might be carrying out on your PC such as content creation, an Intel processor might be the way forward. If you’re looking for a dedicated gaming processor that will give you a consistent performance when you’re gaming for longer, an AMD processor might be the answer.