Introduction
As I shop for a new laptop in 2024, one of the most important decisions I need to make is which CPU (central processing unit) to get – AMD or Intel. The CPU is the “brain” of a computer and has a huge impact on overall performance. In this article, I’ll compare AMD and Intel laptop CPUs in 2024 so you can determine which is best for your needs.
Overview of AMD vs Intel
AMD and Intel are the two major manufacturers of laptop CPUs. Here’s a quick overview:
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AMD – Focuses on providing good performance at lower prices. Their Ryzen mobile CPUs offer excellent multi-threaded performance for the money.
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Intel – The long-time market leader for laptop CPUs. Offers strong single-threaded performance but generally at higher prices. Their Core mobile CPUs come in i3, i5, i7, i9 models.
Both companies use advanced manufacturing processes to pack more transistors and performance into each new generation. In 2024, the leading edge is the 5 nm process node. Lower nodes translate to better efficiency and power consumption.
Current Laptop CPU Generations
For 2024 laptops, the current CPU generations are:
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AMD Ryzen 7000 Series – Latest Ryzen CPUs codenamed “Phoenix.” Built on the 5 nm process with up to 16 cores. Offer major gains in performance and power efficiency.
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Intel 13th Gen Core Series – Latest Intel CPUs codenamed “Raptor Lake.” Built on Intel’s “refined” 10 nm process with up to 14 cores. Deliver solid improvements over 12th gen.
Key things to look for are core counts, clock speeds, cache sizes, and integrated graphics performance. Higher numbers generally mean better performance, but it depends on your workload.
Performance Comparison
Let’s compare the performance of AMD and Intel’s laptop chips in 2024:
Multi-Threaded Performance
For heavy multi-tasking and multi-threaded workloads like video editing, 3D modeling, code compiling etc., AMD comes out ahead.
Their Ryzen 7000 H-series can be configured with up to 16 cores while Intel 13th Gen tops out at 14 cores. More cores means AMD can process heavier workloads faster, especially when combined with technologies like SMT.
In benchmarks, AMD’s 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX is over 50% faster for multi-threaded performance than Intel’s flagship i9-13950HX according to early leaks.
Single-Threaded Performance
For workloads that rely on fewer faster cores like gaming, Intel still has an advantage in single-threaded speed.
Intel’s 13th Gen mobile CPUs achieve boost clocks up to 5.4 GHz thanks to excellent thermal design. AMD Ryzen 7000 reaches only 5.2 GHz boost.
This gives Intel a roughly 10-15% lead in gaming frame rates and single-threaded benchmarks. Not a huge gap, but can matter for competitive esports gaming.
Power Efficiency
AMD’s Ryzen 7000 laptop chips are built on the cutting-edge 5 nm node which brings big gains in power efficiency.
They now match or even beat Intel’s efficiency in lightweight laptops yielding 10+ hours of real-world battery life.
For gaming laptops, Intel still has a slight advantage thanks to their mature 10 nm process. Overall both are fairly matched.
Integrated Graphics
AMD’s integrated Radeon graphics are significantly better than Intel’s Iris Xe graphics in 2024.
The Ryzen 7000 H-series features up to 12 RDNA 3 cores enabling smooth 1080p gaming in modern titles without a discrete GPU.
Intel’s Iris Xe scales up to just 96 execution units. Fine for very light gaming, but can’t compare to AMD’s iGPU performance.
Which is Better for You?
So which CPU is better for your laptop needs in 2024? Here are some guidelines:
AMD Ryzen 7000 – Best for:
- Heavy multi-tasking and creative workloads
- Balanced gaming and productivity
- Tight budgets
- Best iGPU performance
Intel 13th Gen – Best for:
- Competitive/high FPS esports gaming
- Commercial business laptops
- Thin and light designs
- Getting work done fastest
If your usage is heavily multi-threaded – go AMD. If your usage is mostly lightweight but still needs speed – go Intel. For a balanced laptop – either is a good option! Shop for the laptop hardware that fits your specific needs.
Conclusion
In 2024, AMD vs Intel competition is closer than ever for laptops. AMD Ryzen 7000 brings huge generational performance gains and matches Intel’s power efficiency.
Intel 13th Gen is no slouch either, keeping the lead in single-threaded speed while improving multi-threaded performance.
For most people, both latest gens will provide an excellent laptop experience. Choose based on your budget and intended use-cases. Let me know if you have any other questions!
