November 28, 2011 – Updated with newest processor names and fixed some links.

Being around since the dark ages of black and white(monochrome) computer monitors, I know quite a bit about computer hardware.  Therefore, AMD’s Vision does not appeal to me.  Although, when it comes to people who know little and/or do not care about the hardware, AMD’s Vision makes sense.

Many people I talk to only know of Intel.  Why? Intel advertises on TV and newspapers which was the main media for the masses back in the day.  Therefore, a computer is often referred to as the processor(CPU) type and Intel is what the majority know.

If I asked a person what kind of computer he/she has, he/she will say either 2nd Gereration Intel Core i7 or AMD A8.  He/she will not say Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 motherboard with 2nd Generation Intel Core i7-970 CPU and ATI Radeon HD 5970 video card etc.  If he/she did mention every part, he/she most likely gets his/her computer custom-built.

Therefore, AMD needs to put the word out through TV, Internet advertising and/or newspapers.

I am skeptical that AMD will pull through unless AMD finds a way to reward the companies and/or salespeople for every AMD sale.  After all, incentives and/or kickbacks are the way to get them to push for more AMD sales.

As for me, I have always used AMD CPU’s.  I may purchase the odd Intel CPU, but Intel, in most cases, cost more.  I always have a maximum price that I am willing to pay for any CPU.  I usually stick with CPU’s that cost anywhere between $100 – $200.  Furthermore, I always purchase the high-end CPU’s, AMD’s A-Series  and Intel’s 2nd generation Intel Core CPUs, since they are faster than identical speed AMD and/or Intel’s bargain, AMD Sempron and Intel Celeron, chips.  AMD Sempron and Intel Celeron are faster doing specific tasks, but for most computer users, the high-end CPU’s are preferred.  With that, all the other parts are purchased that compliment the CPU.

As of July 31, 2010, AMD CPU’s being cheaper is no longer always true.  Therefore, one will have to look more closely at benchmark tests from various websites.  An article explaining this in more detail can be seen at http://aprivatebeach.com/blog/2010/07/purchasing-the-best-cpu-for-the-money/

AMD’s vision strategy can be seen at http://www.betanews.com/article/AMD-to-combat-Intel-Inside-with-Who-cares/1273694861

Intel’s uses illegal tactics to try to kill AMD can be seen at http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/194619/amd-blasts-predatory-intel

The difference between AMD’s Vision and Intel Inside

The difference is in the hardware.  AMD’s Vision will use AMD CPU’s, ATI video cards (which is owned by AMD), AMD approved motherboards, etc.

As for the AMD Vision E2, AMD Vision A4, AMD Vision A6, and AMD Vision A8, the processor will most likely be the low-end, cheap, nearly obsolete and slower of the A-Series processors for the AMD Vision E2 and the AMD Vision A2.  The AMD Vision A6 and AMD Vision A8 will most likely use the high-end, expensive, recently introduced and extremely fast AMD A-Series processors.  Although, the AMD Vision A8 may also have a separate dedicated video card to handle intensive gaming.

It is highly unlikely that AMD’s Vision A8 will use the unlocked FX edition processors since the naming system is designed for people who know little about computer hardware.  Therefore, overclocking will most likely not be possible.

NOTE:  AMD will come out with new hardware periodically, but the AMD Vision naming system will remain the same.  Therefore, an AMD Vision V8 may become an AMD Vision E2 next year while a AMD Vision E2 may become obsolete next year.  Therefore, to properly compare an AMD Vision to an Intel processor, one will have to look at what AMD CPU is being used.  For example, doing a Google search for AMD A8-3850 vs Intel 2nd Generation I7 is currently the best way to do a comparison since all AMD Vision computers will have AMD processors.  It is just a matter of finding out what processor is being used.

AMD shows in an easy to read format what each is capable of at http://www.amd.com/us/vision/learn/about/Pages/about.aspx

For a more detailed explanation of the difference between the AMD Athlon, Phenom II, Sempron, Celeron and Intel Core CPU’s, one can view the article at http://asecurepc.com/wiki/doku.php?id=before_you_buy_a_computer#cache_cpu_memory. To summarize the information in the link provided, the difference is the size of the cache (memory) in the CPU.  There are more fundamental differences, but for the majority of computer users, cache(memory) is supposedly one of the more expensive parts of the CPU.

Intel on the other hand will use Intel CPU’s, Intel or Intel approved video cards, Intel or Intel approved motherboards, etc.  Furthermore, Intel’s CPUs, video cards and motherboards will be the same as AMD’s when it comes to setting the price point.

NOTE:  Strangely enough, some Intel computers, as of the 10th of September 2010, are being shipped with ATI video cards.  Strange in the sense that ATI is owned by their competitor AMD.  As for the motherboards, I can only assume that they are Intel’s since Intel supplies their own motherboards.

Therefore, the difference between the two is based on personal preference.  Are you an Apple (Mac) computer fanatic or a PC fanatic?  Are you an AMD fanatic or a Intel fanatic?  Are you a Nintendo Wii or Microsoft XBox Kinect fanatic?   Furthermore, AMD CPU’s will not fit on an Intel-based motherboard and vise-versa.

From a stock traders standpoint, Intel, http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AINTC, is much better investment than AMD, http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE%3AAMD, when it comes to dividend payments.  As for being a good investment for the future, one will realize that every trader will have their own method for determining a good investment.  Furthermore, a trader may decide to take on risky ventures.  After all, a shaky company can evolve from small fry to a giant within a few years, and turn a savvy investor from a poor person to a rich person.  Apple Inc., http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:AAPL, is a perfect example of a company that went from small fry to tech giant within a few years.  Something that I did not expect to happen.

AMD uses the AMD64 architecture while Intel uses the x86-64 architecture.  Fortunately, when it comes to Windows, Linux and other OS’s or software designed for PC’s, AMD and Intel are identical.  That is the reason why you will see the minimum requirement to install any software as computer/processor speed and not processor type.  For example Microsoft Office 2010 requires a processor speed of 500MHz  or faster, but it does not say AMD or Intel.  The processor type does not matter, but they do need to be fairly fast.

As for me, one should be able to guess which side I am on.

For those wondering what is the difference between a Macintosh (Apple) and an Intel and/or AMD PC, called PC for simplicity, one can read about it at http://aprivatebeach.com/blog/2008/09/mac-vs-pc/

For those curious, there was a third competitor in the PC market.  Unfortunately, they slowly disappeared and can be found by reference only.  The third competitor in the PC market, Cyrix, can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrix

As for my computer, it is most likely a hybrid of an AMD Vision A8 and an AMD Vision E2.  Fast CPU and RAM, but unable to play any decent games due from the cheap $30 separate graphic card.  Sounds ridiculous, but my computer is designed to load quickly not render video game images.  Therefore my Windows 7 box looks like my Windows XP box.  All Windows Aero and cool animations have been turned off to increase the computer’s speed.

As for the price differences, Intel and AMD CPU’s can range anywhere from $50 up to $1000 or more.  AMD graphic cards can also vary from $20 up to $1000 or more also.  The reasons for these price differences are often because of one or more of the following:

• Computer hardware that just came out and is better (faster) than all of the competitors will often be priced much higher.
• Computer hardware that is obsolete and/or near obsolete will be sold at bargain prices.  My $30 graphics card is an example.
• Newer computer hardware maybe stripped down (smaller RAM and/or cache, slower processor, etc.) to make it more affordable for regular computer users.  AMD’s Sempron and Intel’s Celeron are examples.
• Competition from rival manufacturers will often force the price of the hardware lower.

November 28, 2011 – Added links to Intel’s and AMD’s newest CPU’s

It seems that AMD has changed their naming system from Vision Basic, Vision Premium, Vision Ultimate, and Vision Black to Vision E2, Vision A4, Vision A6 and Vision A8.

I can only assume the E is for Essentials while the A is for Accelerated.  Furthermore, I will further assume that the numbers are supposed to represent the engine of a car.  V4, V6, or V8 engine.  As for the E2, that must be a scooter or …

Still faster than walking.

AMD changes their Vision naming system to try to make it simpler at http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/230360/amd_complicates_its_vision_processor_branding.html

Intel’s 2nd generation Sandy Bridge Intel Core compared to Intel’s previous generation Sandy Bridge Intel Core CPU’s can be seen at http://apcmag.com/apc-tested-new-sandy-bridge-core-i5-vs-old-core-i5.htm

AMD’s A-Series processors can be seen at http://www.zdnet.com/blog/computers/amds-a-series-processor-is-official-gets-put-to-the-test/6140

A random bloggers opinion of the Sandy Bridge CPU’s at http://perilsofparallel.blogspot.com/2011/05/sandy-bridge-graphics-disappoints.html

AMD may quit competing with Intel at http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/25/business/la-fi-amd-20111125

AMD and Intel’s CPU RAW power/speed benchmarks  can be seen at http://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/328 or http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html.  These are updated with the newest processors frequently.  Therefore, they are good links to bookmark.

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