Intel, AMD & ARM Processors
- An overview of notebook and desktop processors offered by Intel and AMD, brief coverage given to ARM whose processors are found in tablets and smartphones.
I. Purpose/Overview
II. Why Does The Processor Matter
III. Companies
i. Intel
ii. AMD
iii. ARM
IV. Product Comparison Tables
V. Benchmarks
VI. Notable Features Demystified
VII. FAQ
VIII. Useful Links
I. Purpose/Overview
The
purpose of this document is to demystify the role that the processor plays in
popular consumer electronics, especially laptops and desktop computing systems.
Further, this document offers a breakdown of the current state of the processor
market—particularly, highlighting the companies, Intel and AMD and how their
current product lines size up against each other. Though the emphasis of this
document is desktop computing, the spike in relavance of the smartphone and
tablet makes mention of mobile processors useful, hence, ARM—a leader in mobile
processing is profiled as well. Also provided is a chart that classfies these
processors for the purposes of helping you decide on a system appropriate for
your needs. Finally, we provide a section dedicated to demystifying some of the
technical/marketing jargon that is tossed around as companies introduce new
product lines.
II. Why Does The Processor Matter
The
microprocessor—or commonly, the CPU or just processor—is the brain of a
computer. It performs many calculations behind the scenes, ultimately allowing
you to complete tasks as trivial as composing an e-mail to tasks as intensive
as data analysis and modeling. Processors are encountered in many forms of
consumer electronics. Most familar to many are notebook and desktop computers
as well as mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Though the processor
is just one of the many physical components that comprise these products, it is
arguably the most central to determining their overall "usefulness"
into the future as software requirements become increasingly demanding.
Unlike
other components of a notebook computer, the processor is a fixed component.
This is in contrast to RAM and hard disk storage which can be upgraded in many
cases. Therefore, another consideration is the fact that the CPU you choose
will be the same throughout the life of the system. This implies that as
applications and operating systems become more sophisticated, the computer's
ability to handle them will be directly affected by the purchase decision made
all that time ago. This choice may mean the difference between a system that is
useful for another year or two versus one that is not. A final consideration in
choosing a CPU is the suggested or minimum requirements of the important
software to be used as well as any academic department recommendations as a
guide as to the relative kind of computing performance expected for a
particular field of study.
III. Companies
i.
If
there was a single semiconductor chip maker the average consumer is aware of it
would likely be Intel. If not for the famous Intel "chime" as heard
in many television commercials throughout the years then definitely for the
fact that it would be difficult not to encounter its technologies in some form
whether at work, school or otherwise. Intel is the premier chip maker for
personal computers—companies such as Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony have product
lines that depend on the processors that Intel produces. Intel's processors
generally offer the best performance for all-around usage. This has been
especially the case the last several years with the introduction and evolution
of Intel's Core series product line. Currently, Intel's flagship consumer
product line consists of mobile and desktop-grade Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7
processors now in their second generation (dubbed "Sandy Bridge").
The third and latest generation of these processors (dubbed "Ivy
Bridge") began to roll out for release late April 2012. The biggest
difference between these two generations amounts to a moderate improvement in
all-around computing performance but a substantial improvement in integrated
graphics performance. Another significant feature Ivy Bridge adds is native USB
3.0 support, overtaking USB 2.0.
ii.
Though
not considered the behemoth in the personal computing space as Intel, AMD is a
decisive runner-up—and arguably the only true competitor Intel has in this
domain. After spending much of the early to middle 2000's as being the
performance and value leader with their Athlon 64 line of personal computing
processors, AMD—unable to mimic this success in more recent years, has shifted
their focus towards both enthusiast and budget-oriented system configurations.
As a result, AMD is considered to be a viable alternative to Intel. Their
current offerings are flanked by the Phenom series processors and Fusion APU
processors. The Fusion APU (AMD A-Series) is a relatively new platform (as of
2011 and ongoing) that attempts to merge high-end graphical capabilities on the
same chip as the processor. This means if your work or play requires a powerful
graphics card, then AMD can potentially offer a cost effective alternative.
iii.
The
increased need for mobile productivity and entertainment has given rise to a
relatively new class of devices: smartphones and tablets. ARM is well-known for
the design of mobile, power-efficient processor designs. In recent years it has
seen its technology used in the products of many prominent electronics
companies. Apple's A4/A5/A5X, Nvidia's Tegra, Samsung's Exynos and Texas
Instruments' OMAP products all integrate ARM processors into what is known as a
system-on-a-chip (SoC). SoCs merge many of the essential components of a
computer (such as the CPU, RAM, ROM etc.) on a single chip which allows devices
that utilize them to be lightweight and compact. These SoCs have gone on to be
implemented in blockbuster products such as Apple's iPhone and iPad or
Samsung's series of Galaxy phones. ARM's presence as the CPU and architecture of
choice on many mobile devices cannot be understated as estimates put their
numbers in the billions.
IV. Processor Comparison Table
This
section offers a breakdown and comparison of the different product lines within
Intel's/AMD's offerings. The processors are divided by the companies making the
processors (Intel and AMD) then within those companies, a general ranking and
purpose is offered for the kinds of processors each is offering. That is, some
will be far better suited for doing advanced tasks such as data/statistical
analysis, modelling, and mulltimedia creation where at the other extreme
(toward the bottom of the Intel and AMD charts below), these products will not
be able to handle much more than web browsing and e-mail. In between those
extremes are processors that can usually handle a little bit from the top and
bottom ends of the spectrum. The kind of performance implied by these
processors is typically enough and recommended for most users; e.g. the Core i3
or i5 processors on the Intel side or the Phenom II or A-series from AMD's
offerings.
Intel Comparison Table
|
|
Recommended For
|
Last Generation Released (Codename)
|
Number of Cores
|
Notable Features
|
Additional Product Information
|
Product Commentary
|
|
Enthusiasts, Superior All-Around Performance,
Multi-tasking, Multimedia Creation, Advanced Productivity and Advanced 3D
Graphics
|
2012 ("Ivy
Bridge") and upcoming
|
2, 4
|
(1) Hyper-Threading
(2) Turbo Boost (3) QuickPath InterConnect (4) Tri-Gate (3D) Transistors (5) Intel HD Graphics (6) 64-bit |
The Intel Core i7 represents the company's most feature
robust processor offering. They are Intel's flagship series of processor,
achieving the greatest levels of relative performance. As an excellent
all-around processor, the i7 is ideal for enthusiasts, gamers, power users
and content creators alike. They are available for both desktop and notebook
platforms. The current generation of i7 (as well as i3 and i5) processors is
Ivy Bridge as of Mid-2012.
|
||
|
Core i5
 |
All-Around Performance, Multi-tasking, Advanced
Producivity, Multimedia, Advanced 3D Graphics
|
2012 ("Ivy
Bridge") and upcoming
|
2, 4
|
(1) Hyper-Threading
(on i5 Mobile Dual-Core only, not available on Quad-Core desktop version)
(2) Turbo Boost (3) QuickPath InterConnect (4) Tri-Gate (3D) Transistors (5) Intel HD Graphics (6) 64-bit |
The Intel Core i5 is a class of high-performance processor
just a notch beneath the i7. Though they generally possess same features as
the i7 with some exceptions (see Features), they have less cache (L3) memory
which amounts to similar, but lesser all-around performance. Like the i7 and
i3, the i5 features Intel's high performance integrated graphics in the HD
3000/4000. Most users will find the general level of perfomance offered by
the i5 to be an attractive option compared to a more expensive i7-equipped
system.
|
|
|
Core i3
 |
Productivity, Multi-tasking, Basic Graphics, Multimedia
|
2012 ("Ivy
Bridge") and upcoming
|
2, 4
|
(1) Hyper-Threading
(2) QuickPath InterConnect (3) Tri-Gate (3D) Transistors (4) Intel HD Graphics 3000 (5) 64-bit |
The Intel Core i3 processor is the closest successor to
the now out-of-production Core2Duo processor. The most significant
differences between the i3 and i5/i7 is the lack of Turbo Boost and less
cache (L3) memory. The i3 offers moderate all-around performance and is often
found in budget-oriented systems.
|
|
|
Pentium (Post-2009)
 |
Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing, Photos and Music
|
2011 ("Sandy Bridge")
|
2
|
Hyper-Threading (however, most currently do not support
this feature)
|
The Intel Pentium as a product line had built a strong
reputation with consumers in the 90's through the early 2000s with the
Pentium I/II/III/4 series. Formerly a flagship line of processor, the Pentium
is currently in production as a budget-oriented option just above the Celeron
in terms of relative performance. The most recent iteration of the Pentium
takes some architectural cues from the Core i series with the 2011 Pentium
based on the Sandy Bridge, offering performance suitable for most basic
tasks.
|
|
|
Celeron
(Post-2010)  |
Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing, Photos and Music
|
2011 ("Sandy Bridge")
|
2
|
64-bit
|
Throughout its many iterations, the Intel Celeron has
occupied the lower end of the processor market in terms of both price and
performance. Updates to the Celeron based on current generation architecture
have been made to keep the processor relevant. The improvements are enough
such that they allow for running current productivity packages and web
applications. They are best considered for an entry-level system.
|
|
|
Atom
 |
Basic Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing
|
2012 ("Cedar Trail") and upcoming
|
1, 2
|
(1) Hyper-Threading
(2) 64-bit |
The Intel Atom belongs almost exclusively to a class of
personal computers known as netbooks (nettops and tablets are the lesser
common instances). The Atom is focused not so much on performance as it is on
reducing power consumption. As a result, many netbooks offer excellent
battery life at the cost of being unable to run more sophisticated
applications beyond web browsing and word processing. Generally speaking,
netbook processors such as the Atom do not see substantial performance gains
with subsequent generations.
|
|
|
Retiring/Retired Product Lines
|
||||||
|
Core 2 Duo & Core 2 Quad
|
Multi-tasking,
Productivity and Multimedia
|
2008
|
2, 4
|
64-Bit
|
Intel
- Core 2 Duo - Core 2 Quad |
Though the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors are still
in production, the platform has been succeeded by the Core i Series since
late 2008. Despite this, these processors are still very servicable providing
adequete levels of performance for multitasking to varying levels of
multimedia creation and productivity applications.
|
|
Core Solo/Core Duo/Centrino & Celeron
(Pre-2010)
|
Basic Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing
|
2006
|
1, 2
|
32-bit
|
N/A
|
The Core Duo/Duo Centrino processors preceeded both the
Core2 and Core i series of processor. Generally do not recommend running
current software for optimal use; consideration of an upgrade path is
recommended soon.
|
|
Pentium III & Pentium 4
|
Legacy software and operating system
|
Late 90s/Early 2000s
|
1
|
Pentium 4: mostly 32-bit later versions 64-bit, w/Hyper-
Threading
|
N/A
|
An upgrade path is highly recommended; Usefulness is
relagated to doing basic tasks such as running older versions of Microsoft
Office or browsing webpages absent of the latest media or plugins such as
Flash or Java.
|
AMD Comparison Table
 |
Recommended For
|
Last Generation Released (Codename)
|
Number of Cores
|
Notable Features
|
Additional Product Information
|
Product Commentary
|
|
FX
 |
Desktop Enthusiasts, All-Around High Performance
|
2012 ("Bulldozer") and upcoming
|
4, 6, 8
|
(1) HyperTransport
(2) Integrated DRAM Controller with AMD Memory Optimizer (2) AMD Turbo CORE (3) AMD Virtualization (4) AMD PowerNow! (Cool'n'Quiet) |
Available exclusively on desktop platforms, AMD FX targets
custom builders and enthusiasts. This is a processor that far surpasses the
needs of the average user. However, given the amount of performance it
provides combined with the relative low cost, it becomes an attractive option
for budget custom PC builds. The FX along with the A-Series, represent AMD's
current flagship products and later releases within these product lines are
planned.
|
|
|
A-Series (Fusion)
 |
A4: Basic
All-Around Use/Productivity, Casual Gaming A6, A8: All-Around Performance, Multimedia, Advanced 3D Graphics |
2012 ("Trinity") and upcoming
|
A4: 2
A6, A8: 4 |
DirectX 11 Capable Graphics
|
(1)
AMD
(2) Notebook Features |
The AMD A-Series (AMD Fusion) are a type of chip that
merges the CPU with a high-performance GPU (graphics processing unit)
resulting in a versatile system that is very power efficient. They are
available in desktops, laptops and most recently, ultrabooks. Where the A4
APU is found in less expensive, entry level systems, the A6 and A8 are more
suited for all-around use w/advanced graphics applications (such as gaming or
3D modeling). In May 2012, AMD released the next generation of Fusion
A-Series processors known as "Trinity", these processors promise
much greater graphical and general purpose performance. AMD has aligned Trinity
as an answer to Intel's Ivy Bridge.
|
|
Phenom II
 |
Advanced Productivity, HD Video, 3D Graphics, Photos and
Music
|
2010
|
2, 3, 4, 6
|
(1) HyperTransport™
(2) Integrated DRAM Controller with AMD Memory Optimizer (3) AMD Turbo CORE (4) AMD PowerNow! (Cool'n'Quiet) (5) AMD CoolCore! |
The AMD Phenom II is primarily a class of high-performance
desktop processor.In 2010, AMD claimed to be the first in the industry to
offer a consumer class six-core processor though the X6. Mobile variants of
the Phenom II were introduced as well, but not in the six-core flavor. Though
new generations of this product line are no longer in the works, this line of
processor is still sold as a low-cost, budget-oriented option for custom
system builds. The performance of this processor is more than enough for
everyday usage and productivity.
|
|
|
Athlon II
 |
Basic Multi-tasking,
Productivity and Multimedia Applications
|
2011 and upcoming
|
2, 3, 4
|
(1) AMD Virtualization
(2) AMD PowerNow! (Cool'n'Quiet) (3) AMD CoolCore! |
(1)
AMD
(2) Key Architectural Features |
The Athlon II is a
relatively recent processor taking design cues from the Phenom II. Unlike the
Athlon Classic, is still in production and far more suited to current
productivity applications such as Microsoft Office as well as multitasking
and multimedia applcations. It is found in both laptops and desktops as a
reasonably-powered, cost-effective option.
|
|
Turion II
 |
Productivity, Photos, and Music
|
2010
|
1, 2
|
(1) HyperTransport
(2) 64-bit |
The Turion II is a processor based from the same
architecture in the Phenom II and Athlon II. It was introduced as a
competitor to Intel's Core 2 Duo. As a result, its performance should be very
suitable for productivity software. They designed with power efficiency in
mind and is found primarily in notebook configurations.
|
|
|
Sempron
 |
Basic Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing
|
2010
|
1, 2
|
(1) HyperTransport
(2) 64-bit |
The Sempron is the AMD analogue to the Intel Celeron. It
offers very basic levels of performance and is updated every so often so as
to offer an inexpensive option capable of running recent versions of
productivity software such as Office 2010 as well as web applications.
|
|
|
Retiring/Retired Product Lines
|
||||||
|
Phenom
|
Multi-tasking, HD Video, Basic Graphics
|
2008
|
2, 3, 4
|
(1) HyperTransport
(2) AMD PowerNow! (Cool'n'Quiet) (3) AMD CoolCore! |
The AMD Phenom processor preceded the Phenon II. Though
the processor is no longer in production, it is generally considered
lower-middle range in performance; suitable for multi-tasking and more than
casual use. The Phenom was available only for desktop platforms.
|
|
|
Athlon (Classic)
|
Web Browsing, E-mail
|
Not In production (1999-2005)
|
1, 2
|
32-bit or 64-bit
|
N/A
|
Formerly known as just the Athlon, the Athlon Classic has
not been in production since 2005. The kind of performance is extremely
limited for today's applications and is recommended for only the most basic
of uses. Generally, a complete system upgrade from this processor range would
be advisable if your needs fall beyond web browsing and e-mail tasks.
|
Companies Utilizing ARM Architecture
 |
System-On-a-Chip (SoC)
|
Notable Product(s) Containing
|
Type of ARM Processor
|
Number of Cores
|
Additional Product Information
|
|
Apple
|
A4
|
iPhone 4, iPod Touch (4th Gen), iPad (1st Gen), AppleTV
(2nd Gen)
|
Cortex-A8
|
1
|
Apple
|
|
A5
|
iPhone 4S, iPad 2, AppleTV (3rd Gen)
|
Cortex-A9
|
2
|
||
|
A5X
|
iPad (3rd Gen, Retina Display)
|
Cortex-A9
|
2
|
||
|
Samsung
|
Exynos 3 Single
|
Samsung Galaxy S,
Samsung Galaxy Nexus S,
|
Cortex-A8
|
1
|
Samsung
|
|
Exynos 4 Dual
|
Samsung Galaxy SII, Samsung Galaxy Note (International)
|
Cortex-A9
|
2
|
||
|
Exynos 4 Quad
|
Samsung Galaxy SIII
|
Cortex-A9
|
4
|
||
|
Exynos 5 Dual
|
N/A
|
Cortex-A15
|
2
|
||
|
Nvidia
|
Tegra
|
Microsoft Zune HD
|
ARM11
|
1
|
Nvidia
|
|
Tegra 2
|
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1,
Motorola Xoom, Dell Streak 7 & Pro, Sony Tablet S
|
Cortex-A9
|
2
|
||
|
Tegra 3
|
ASUS Transformer Pad 300, ASUS Nexus 7, Acer Iconia Tab
A510 & A700, HTC One X
|
Cortex-A9
|
4
|
||
|
Qualcomm
|
Snapdragon S2
|
Nokia Lumia 900
|
N/A
|
1
|
Qualcomm
|
|
Snapdragon S3
|
Galaxy Note LTE (AT&T), HP TouchPad
|
N/A
|
2
|
||
|
Snapdragon S4
|
Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE, HTC EVO 4G LTE
|
N/A
|
2, 4
|
||
|
Texas Instruments
|
OMAP 3
|
Barnes and Noble Nook Color
|
Cortex-A8
|
1
|
Texas Instruments
|
|
OMAP 4
|
Amazon Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, Blackberry
Playbook, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet
|
Cortex-A9
|
2
|
||
|
OMAP 5
|
N/A
|
Cortex-A15
|
2
|
V. Benchmarks
It is
important to note that there are a considerable amount of details that factor
into the overall performance of any given processor beyond frequency (GHz).
This is not a valid way to compare most processors, especially between
competing companies and between generations. For example, an Intel Pentium 4 (a
processor that is generations behind any current Intel i-series processor)
running at 3.8 GHz is much slower compared than any i3, i5 or i7 running at lower
GHz—the biggest reason for this is the improvement in architecture allowing for
increases in the number of cores as well as improvements in other features
(such as cache memory and bus technology) that allow the modern CPU to get more
work done in a given clock cycle. Hence, it is more useful to compare
frequencies and number of cores of processors across the same product line.
CPU
benchmarking involves running a specific software tool or suite of tools which
allow users to 'distill' an overall performance rating that can be used to rank
against other processors. Computer hardware websites such as those listed below
have aggregated rankings for all major desktop/notebook processors released
within the last decade, allowing a prospective buyer to get a feel for the
relative level of performance separating one processor from another. Further,
these benchmarks when considered in tandem with the cost of a given processor
also allow buyers to compare value as far as amount of performance per dollar.
This is important since CPU performance does not necessarily correlate with
price, especially across different makers.
The
following links below provide comprehensive rankings for desktop and mobile
processors.
Benchmark Links:
Desktop CPU Benchmarks:
Mobile CPU Benchmarks:
VI. Notable Features Demystified
In
this section, we breakdown the practical meaning of some notable technical
features included in the various processors available. The vast majority of
these features pertain to how a given processor is able to attain a performance
boost over either its competitors or previous generations of products.
|
Feature
|
Explanation
|
Processors Using Feature
|
|
Intel Features
|
||
|
Hyper-Threading (HT)
|
Improves the performance by allowing the operating system
to improve its ability to 'multitask' processes more intelligently. One
physically present core is treated as two logical cores which share workloads
between each other. Hence, a dual-core with HT has 4 logical cores and a
quad-core has 8 logical cores.
|
Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Atom
|
|
Turbo Boost
|
Allows the processor to intelligently and dynamically
overclock a core(s) such that thermal/power constraints are not violated. For
example, a dual core processor with Turbo Boost can overclock one core to
much higher frequencies while decreasing speed of the other core; in some
situations this can improve performance.
|
Core i7, Core i5 (Mobile Dual-Cores only)
|
|
QuickPath Interconnect (QPI)
|
An Intel technology which replaced Front Side Bus (FSB) --
similar in purpose to AMD's competing HyperTransport technology.
|
Implemented in some fashion across all Intel core iX
series
|
|
Tri-Gate (3D) Transistor
|
A new fabrication technology implemented for mass
production for the first time in 2012 with Ivy Bridge. Essentially, increases
the surface area of each transistor on the chip while also reducing power
leakage which on the whole significantly decreases power consumption and
improves performance.
|
Ivy Bridge (2012) iX series
|
|
vPro
|
Synchronizes remote desktop, security, and other
multi-station support features. Decreases desk-side maintenance visits.
|
Current Intel processors
|
|
Execute Disable Bit
|
Prevents certain viruses from infecting the system by
labeling some data "executable."
|
Current Intel processors
|
|
AMD Features
|
||
|
HyperTransport
|
A feature that helps
minimize the number of buses in a system. This can reduce system
'bottlenecks' and allow microprocessors to use system memory more
efficiently.
|
All current AMD processors
|
|
Cool'n'Quiet
|
Reduces heat and noise of processors allowing for
increased energy efficiency.
|
Phenom I & II, Athlon, Sempron (with exceptions)
|
|
Turbo Core
|
Turbo Core allows for contextual overclocking of the
processor to optimize performance subject to electrical and thermal
requirements/specifications.
|
Phenom II X6, Trinity APUs
|
|
CoolCore
|
Limits unused elements of the processor such that power is
conserved -- allows for increased notebook battery life on a single charge.
|
Phenom I & II, Turion
|
VII. FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit processor?
A :
From a practical standpoint, the true difference at hand is the ability to run
a 32-bit operating system (OS) versus a 64-bit OS and their subsequent
applications. Technically, 64-bit allows the processor to address larger chunks
of data from physical memory (RAM) than their 32-bit counterparts. Hence, while
the maximum amount of RAM for a 32-bit system is 4GB, for a 64-bit system there
is no practical limit except where artificially imposed by a specific version
of an OS or system manufacturer—for example, Windows 7 Home Edition allows for
up to 16GB of RAM where Professional and Ultimate allows up to 192GB. The
benefit of 64-bit arises in dealing with the increasing sophistication of
applications as well as working with and processing large files with greater
efficiency. Most modern CPUs such as any of Intel's iX series are 64-bit and
virtually any new configuration of a machine with these processors include a
64-bit OS. It is important to note that while 64-bit CPUs can typically run
32-bit applications, the reverse is not true.
Q: What is the relationship between a processor and RAM? Why and when can a RAM upgrade make my system run faster?
A :
Where the CPU acts as the brains of a computer, processing your input into
output, Random Access Memory (RAM) can be considered an analogue to working
memory. It is a fast type of volatile memory that the system uses to help
process data. When the amount of RAM is overwhelmed by various processes on the
system—which can happen if a user had begun using a more sophisticated OS with
only the minimum amount of recommended RAM or if many applications are running
at once—the OS resorts to using storage from the much slower hard disk drive to
'simulate' and compensate for the lack of RAM, this is known as virtual memory.
Running many applications from virtual memory can result in general
sluggishness, the CPU may be fast but it can process data only as quickly as
the virtual memory can dispense it. In essence, a lack of sufficient RAM can
lead to a system being 'bottlenecked'. Upgrading RAM can help ensure that the
system is running on as little if any virtual memory as possible, this makes
the machine more responsive especially when multi-tasking across several
applications. Hence, the value of RAM is in its ability to ensure that the CPU
is able to pull data as seamlessly as possible. If the current amount of RAM in
a system is 'enough', adding more RAM will not serve to speed up the system any
further. At this point, the system runs as fast as the CPU is capable of and
depending on the needs of the user, a processor upgrade might be considered.
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