AMD vs Intel
The first of many decisions
CPU choices for gaming computers are essentially AMD vs Intel. It's rather a question of Pepsi or Coke,
both get the job done.
Generally it is a matter of budget. If you have a low budget and need to get the most bang for your buck, AMD is
likely to be your best option. AMD owns the budget gaming market. They give your more for your money then Intel at
the low end market.
If you have a healthy budget to work with, Intel will be your best option. On the higher end CPUs the most bang
for your buck is Intel. You will get the most performance per your dollar here.
If you have a mid range budget, the lower end of that range will be AMD, the higher end is Intel. However, while
Intel is beginning to own this range more, it is still possible to get a solid AMD gaming pc here as well.
Performance
On the surface it looks like you can compare AMD vs Intel, apples to apples. However, due to the different
architecture used by AMD and by Intel, they do not compare easily. The differences in FSB (front side bus, system
bus) and Cache amounts are neon signs. Yep, it's totally like Pepsi or Coke. Sure they are sodas, but they are not
the same. Neither are AMD and Intel.
AMD does not go head to head with Intel on performance. AMD dominates the budget builds. AMD's
focus is value. Both brands have solid CPUs at various price points.
If your total focus is performance with no regard to price, Intel will be your choice. Intel is usually
the choice of CPU in the high end rigs.
To truly understand performance benchmarking between AMD vs Intel CPUs
is definitely something you need to explore. But also take it with a healthy grain of salt. Not all rigs are set
up in an apple to apple comparison. Unless it's a lab set up, it's mostly just a curiosity.
Let me be clear, I look at price points and performance. I'm not a hardcore Intel or AMD fan. Both have solid
CPUs, and I have used both. Currently, I'm on an AMD rig. My next rig will be Intel. My rig before my AMD one, was
an Intel rig. It's all about how much money I'm going to lay out there.
More and more, instead of a smokin' CPU, my budget goes into my video card. A solid CPU works just fine for
me with a killer video card.
CPU Price Points
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