As computer technology continues to advance, new terms enter the marketplace, making buying a new computer an exercise in speaking a new language. "Core" and "Vision" are two names given to processors by two big players in computer manufacturing: Intel and AMD. Intel has long had a firm grip on processors -- particularly in laptops -- but Vision marked AMD's entry into the quad-core game. Still, the i7 performs better than even the top-of-the-line Vision processor.
Intel I7 Types
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Not all of Intel's Core i7 processors are created equal. I7 refers to a specific type of processor that has four cores and two threads per core, meaning the PC processes are split between eight different processing units -- which speeds up all tasks on the computer, but which particularly affects video performance and high-definition activities. Intel has made four generations of i7 processors, each with about 20 models. When comparing i7 to AMD Vision processors, there are about 80 different Core i7s.
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AMD Vision Types
Like Intel's Core i7 line of processors, AMD has released dozens of Vision processors. AMD originally released four types of Vision processors: Vision, Vision Premium, Vision Ultimate, and Vision Black. As of July 2013, Vision processors were rated differently, rising from Vision E2 through A4, A6 and A8 to A10, AMD's most powerful processor. An AMD Vision A10 processor offers better performance than a first-generation Intel Core i7, but when comparing processors it's important to compare like to like, looking at options at similar price points.
Performance Differences
Processor performance is measured by a few metrics, including monothread and multithread bandwidth (the speed at which calculations occur) and energy consumption, which translates into how hot the processor gets. Additionally, third-party software exists to create performance benchmarks. According to test performed by BeHardware, third-generation i7 processors performed better in both bandwidth tests than even the AMD Vision A10. The Vision A10 consumed less power in completing the tasks, however.
Head-to-Head
CPU Boss, a website that performs head-to-head tests on processors, tested the third-generation Intel Core i7 3630Q and the AMD Vision A10 4600M. The Intel processor performed better in all four test categories: performance, single-core performance, power consumption and features. The i7 had more level three cache, meaning more data can be stored and transferred faster, had better performance per watt, had a higher turbo clock, and had twice as many threads to double processing speeds. Overall, CPU Boss gave the Intel processor a score of 9 out of 10 and gave the AMD a 6.6.