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AMD Ryzen Vs. Intel Core: Which is Right for You?

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Two companies dominate the Central Processing Unit (CPU) market: AMD and Intel.

Intel has been the dominant company with a long history of providing quality products for professional computers. Their Core line of processors are some of the most commonly found CPUs in desktops and laptops. Over the past couple of years, AMD has disrupted the industry with CPUs that push the envelope for high-end processing power at an affordable price.

The CPU is a critical part of your computer, so finding the best one for your specific needs is vital. AMD Ryzen and Intel Core CPUs are the biggest processor manufacturers in the market due to their ability to offer the best speed and processing for laptops and desktops. They can both help run programs, perform calculations, improve graphics, and make running a business smoother.

AMD Ryzen

Ryzen processors are broken down into three separate families: 3, 5, and 7. Initially, the numbers were chosen for the number of cores in each category. Over the past couple of years, Ryzen has continued to beef up their models, so they now have more cores than the names suggest. The numbers help to separate them based on speed and performance.

Ryzen 3. AMD provides excellent value for money, and their Ryzen 3 is one of the most affordable CPUs. Great for entry-level users, it works as an all-in-one processor for less intensive applications.

Ryzen 5. The mid-level Ryzen 5 offers more processing power than the Ryzen 3. It provides excellent multi-core performance for basic video editing and productivity tasks.

Ryzen 7. The Ryzen 7 is built for performance. With 8 cores and 16 threads, it is a powerful processor perfect for the multitasking professional. It has one of the best productivity and multitasking chips on the market. They are also ideal for design and editing professionals and have excellent video editing and encoding capabilities.

The three models allow users to find the right processor based on their needs and price range. The Ryzen 3 offers an excellent bargain for necessary capabilities, while the Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 provide high end power for heavy computing.

Intel Core

The Intel Core line of CPUs is also divided into three systems: i3, i5, and i7. The numbers in the Intel Core system are not tied to anything in particular but are used to indicate their relative processing power. Their power is based on the number of cores, clock speed, size of the cache, and technologies that improve their processing.

Core i3. The i3 is ideal for basic processing. Users that plan on using their laptop or desktop for simple tasks can take advantage of its affordable pricing.

Core i5. The mid-level i5 has more cores than i3, and boasts Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. It is ideal for laptops with its all-around power and provides more than enough processing power for the average workload.

Core i7. With high amounts of cache and Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the i7 is made for heavy workloads. For users that need to multitask and require superior processing power, such as photo or video editing programs, i7 is ideal.

Core i3 is the most affordable Intel Core processor for those who don't need their chip to perform complicated tasks. However, both Core i5 and Core i7 offer Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 for impressive clock speed whenever required. The Core i7 also offers even more cache space to provide the fastest speed of the three systems.

Comparing AMD Ryzen and Intel Core

With each new generation of processors, both brands continue to improve the performance and reliability of their products. Both Ryzen and Core are great choices for small and medium sized businesses as well as the average working professional.

AMD Ryzen offers great performance for the price and boasts better onboard graphics. It is an excellent choice for those who do not need the absolute top of the line in performance and for whom extra processing power would be wasted.

Intel has consistently been the leader in the CPU market with chips that offer the best speed and performance per core. This comes with the additional cost making Intel Core CPUs more expensive than the AMD Ryzen equivalent. While the gap in performance between the two continues to diminish, Intel still offers the best-engineered solution for users who require maximum usage out of their chip.

For regular desktops that don't require more than basic processing power, AMD is a great solution. However, for laptops and heavy workload needs, Intel is typically the better choice. While AMD is making strides to provide better performance in laptops, Intel continues to dominate the laptop market with its wide range of configurations and better performance per core.

Picking the Right CPU for Your Business

Although they are both strong choices for the working professional, AMD and Intel each have different advantages. AMD Ryzen has begun taking the CPU market by storm with its quality processors at affordable prices. However, Intel continues to offer the best speed and workload capacity.

Both brands have three categories at varying prices so you can find the right CPU for your specific needs and budget. When a more powerful chip would be overkill, AMD Ryzen offers excellent performance at a better price. For those that need the top-engineered solution, Intel Core is the right choice.

Need help finding the right technology for your business? Reach out to one of our experts today to get your questions answered.

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