Intel and AMD Processors

The two most common types of CPUs on the market today are manufactured by Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Intel is the largest global supplier of microprocessors for the x86 architecture (PCs), and AMD is the second largest. AMD concentrates primarily on CPUs, chipsets, and other microprocessors, but Intel delves into many other markets including networking technologies, motherboards, and much more. The two companies are constantly waging a battle for superior CPU technology; this competition has helped the CPU market to quickly grow and become more sophisticated over the past two decades.

It is important to know some of the processors that each manufacturer develops so that you can differentiate between the various types of PCs you see in the field. Let’s begin with Intel.