AMD and Intel are the two largest processor manufacturers. They each offer several processor types for desktop, server and mobile technologies as well as processors running at various speeds. AMD processors tend to be less expensive than comparable Intel processors, but they also have shorter battery life and tend to score lower on a number of Windows-based benchmarks.
Intel Processors in 2009
The Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core i7 processors stand as the most commonly configured processors in 2009. Intel also continues to produce the Pentium. Intel CPUs operate from 1.8 GHz to 3.33 GHz.
AMD Processors in 2009
AMD offers the Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor (and its variations), and the Athlon X2 Dual Core for laptops. On the desktop side, the Athlon X2 Dual-Core and the Phenom variations rank as AMD's most popular processors. The Phenom comes in quad and triple-core configurations. AMD processors run from 1.8 GHz to 3.4 GHz.
Battery Life Comparison
According to AnandTech, when performing five tests on laptops almost equally configured, the 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo beats the 2.1 GHz AMD dual-core Athlon 64 X2. In the five tests, the Intel processor bests the AMD processor from 20 percent longer lasting performance to 35 percent.
Budget Processors
The AMD Sempron and the Intel Celeron compete in the budget department. These processors figure among the cheapest processors available but do not offer the power of AMD and Intel's higher-end processors.
Intel Atom
The Intel Atom fits the requirements of a number of small netbooks and nettops. Intel designed these processors for internet browsing, email and business computing.
Tags: 2009 Intel, five tests, Intel Atom, Intel Core, Processors 2009