168 Intel and AMD processors compared
 

This survey that represents the largest compilation of results ever presented on BeHardware.com, gives a good idea of developments since 2005, the date when the first dual core models were launched by AMD and Intel. Moving from the 90nm engraving that was used then to 65nm and then 45nm has allowed the two chip makers to move on to quad core models with availability at under 100 euros. Performances have increased by a factor of more than 4, while over the same period energy consumption has been well controlled, with, in particular, major efforts being made in idle.


The most impressive improvement has of course come from Intel who in 2005 were still relying on the outdated Netburst architecture while AMD were already quite advanced with the K8 generation. Intel have done much more than catch up, introducing the Core generation and now Nehalem, so much so that the performance average index clearly shows Intel to be a generation in advance of AMD in terms of rapidity. While the Bulldozer architecture is promising on paper, it won’t be available until 2011. In the meantime, while AMD can't compete when it comes to pure performance, it is positioning itself aggressively in terms of price/performance ratios, both for its Athlon IIs and Phenom IIs!

http://www.behardware.com/articles/7...intel-amd.html