Intel or AMD

When it comes to picking the best processor for our 3D videos and VFX effects, we all look for the best in performance and within our budget. We subject the CPUs and GPU under test to compare their performance, and sometimes we overclock to see the figures increasing. However, in our quest for a new or upgrade microcomputer lies the most significant debate: Intel or AMD?

Intel Computer (INTC) is the largest semiconductor chip maker in the United States and the patent holder of the x86 processor architecture. On the other hand, Advanced Micro Devices Incorporation, (AMD) is the second largest supplier of x86 based microprocessors in America.

AMD is Intel’s only colossal rival. In 2011, AMD achieved a Guinness World Record for the “Highest frequency of a computer Processor.” The company broke the record by running an 8-core FX-8150 processor with two cores. The previous record was Intel’s Celeron 352 8.308 GHz processor.

According to Mindfactory revenue report for July 2018, AMD Ryzen CPU has a higher market share surpassing Intel’s 8TH generation processors. The 2ND generation Ryzen launched at the beginning of the year is playing catch up to the domineering Intel’s 8th generation launched last year. According to the latest Reddit charts, both companies hold a 50% market share.

That said, which one would be the best choice for 3D and VFX in performing the features below:

CPU

• CPU rendering: works best with more cores and higher clocks.
• Calculating scene-states like objects, deformers, and modifiers require a single core-clock
• Animated calculations also require higher single core-clock
• Lastly, for simulation, a single core-clock is better, think Turbo Boost.

GPU

• Displaying polygons and scene contents requires a high VRAM.
• GPU-Rendering – more VRAM, high clock speed and high GPU.

Cost

Which brand saves you from the breaking your bank? Generally, AMD chips are cheaper than Intel chips. Analyzing the current AMD sales, the second generation Ryzen processors accrued higher sales, and they have been at discounted prices since their early introduction to the market. The AMD Ryzen CPU is an eight-core with turbo-clock of 4.0 GHz at a price of $350 while Intel’s cheapest 8 generation processor goes for a whopping $600.

Value

Targeting gamers, video editors, and graphic designers; Intel’s Core i9-7900X CPU: maximum speed of 4.3GHz, 10 cores and offers 20 threads. At a lower price with almost same performance is the AMD Threadripper offering higher speed, large amounts of cache but require more power and low peak speeds. Moreover, the AMD’s desktop processor does not integrate graphics resulting in Accelerated Processing Unit and GPU drawing little power.

Technically, Intel CPU cores suck more power, but they offer higher boost and base speeds and inbuilt graphics. Generally, Intel offers better performance per core than AMD multi-core processors.

Single Core or Multi-Core

AMD’s chips like the Ryzen CPU perform excellently in multi-threaded applications and efficient at running apps that support multiple-cores. Intel chips are single core thus losing out to AMD Ryzen processors.

In Summary

Intel

Pros

• Famous for its power-saving abilities
• Single core processor with excellent performance.
• Not prone to heating

Cons

• Intel processors are expensive
• It is not easy to overclock to increase the performance
• Lags behind AMD processors when it is about multi-core performance

Advanced Micro Devices

Pros

• Works at lightning speed when it is about multi-core performance
• Handles benchmarks and massive games easily
• It is less expensive giving you value for money
• It has the Turbo Boost Technology making overclocking easy
• Handles medium graphics without lagging

Cons

• The CPUs are prone to overheating
• Lags behind Intel when it is about single core performance
• AMD’s consumes more power, roughly one and a half compared to Intel series.

As I conclude, the market is highly competitive, but on considering the above guidelines, you’ve already figured out what you want. Intel CPUs have stronger single-core than the best AMD Threadripper CPU in the market. The fastest single core Intel processor is Intel Core i7-8700K with high speed and quality performance. If however, you are running concurrent applications there is the need for a multi-threaded processor as it handles several threads, AMD is the best fit. In multi-core processors, the amount of data that can be handled by the CPU is multiplied and has higher clock speeds.