Intel gained marketshare in Q4 2020 as AMD is held back by supply issues

Posted on Wednesday, February 03 2021 @ 20:51 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
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For the first time in three years, Intel managed to recapture desktop and laptop CPU marketshare in the final quarter of 2020. AMD's desktop marketshare fell from 20.1 percent in Q3 2020 to 19.3 percent in Q4 2020, and laptop marketshare dropped from 20.2 percent to 19.0 percent in the same timeframe. In the server market, AMD did gain marketshare, the firm's server share went up from 6.6 percent to 7.1 percent.

The overall x86 market saw a massive 20.1 percent growth in Q4 2020. The problem for AMD is that it's not able to deliver as many processors as it wants. Capacity at TSMC is tight and this is holding AMD back in its fight against Intel. AMD believes the tightness will persist throughout the first half of this year until more capacity comes online at TSMC.
Those shortages led to a scarcity of AMD's chips during the critical holiday shopping season in the fourth quarter, while Intel's chips were widely available and often selling at a discount. That obviously helped Intel recoup some share. During its recent earnings call, Intel also cited improving supply of lower-end processors, like those destined for Chromebooks, as a contributing factor. Intel CEO Bob Swan noted the company increased its PC CPU units by 33% during the fourth quarter.
A more detailed look at the desktop, mobile and server segments can be seen at Tom's Hardware.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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