Desktop CPU market share favorably shifted towards AMD over the past year compared to Intel, as per Mercury Research findings; however, the tech giant trails substantially in mobile sector.

Desktop CPU market share favorably shifted towards AMD over the past year compared to Intel, as per Mercury Research findings; however, the tech giant trails substantially in mobile sector.

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the desktop CPU market has witnessed a significant shift in the past year. AMD, a company known for its innovative and high-performance processors, has been making waves, narrowing the gap with Intel, the long-standing leader in the market.

According to recent reports, AMD's desktop CPU unit market share has increased to 32.2% in Q2 2025, up from 23% a year earlier, while Intel's share has declined to 67.8% from 77%[1][3][4][5]. This narrowing of the gap from a ratio of 9:1 in 2016–2018 to just 2:1 in 2025, reflects a strong shift in market dynamics[1].

Key factors driving AMD's growth include:

1. The success of AMD’s Ryzen 9000-series processors, particularly the Ryzen 7, Ryzen 9, and Ryzen X3D models, which deliver excellent performance gains, particularly in gaming and demanding applications such as video editing[1][2][3].
2. The adoption of 3D V-Cache technology starting with the Ryzen 5800X3D in 2022 and followed by the Ryzen 7800X3D in 2023, offering notable performance improvements that boosted AMD's appeal in the enthusiast and performance segments[2].
3. Strong demand in both consumer and commercial systems, including growing traction in performance-hungry and high-efficiency enterprise setups[1][5].
4. AMD’s ability to sell higher-value (premium) SKUs, as shown by its desktop CPU revenue share climbing to 39.3%—a 20.5% year-over-year increase—indicating a rising preference for top-tier models among buyers[1][5].

In contrast, Intel's recent difficulties have contributed to AMD's gains:

• Intel’s Arrow Lake desktop CPUs were poorly received, impacting shipments and market share[3].
• Intel's internal challenges, including leadership changes and foundry issues, have disrupted its momentum[3].
• Intel's new Core Ultra 200-series CPUs failed to gain strong popularity among enthusiasts, leading to a decline in revenue share[1].

Regional data, such as from the German market, shows a stark preference for AMD Ryzen models, with around 90% of users searching for Ryzen processors, signaling a historic market shift away from Intel[2].

AMD's current desktop CPU offerings are performant and occupy five out of six spots in the best CPU for gaming guide[6]. Some high-profile laptop manufacturers have also switched to AMD's Strix Point chips with positive results.

It's worth noting that Andy Edser, a hardware writer for PC Gamer, has been reviewing PC hardware for years and has attended product launches and trade shows around the world. Andy built his first gaming PC at the age of 12, a testament to his passion for technology.

While Intel is reportedly struggling to recover from political pressure from the US government, it remains to be seen how the tech giant will navigate these challenges and respond to AMD's growth. However, one thing is clear: AMD's dominance in the desktop CPU market is not a fleeting trend, but a significant shift in the tech landscape that is here to stay.

[1] TechRadar (2025). AMD vs Intel: A New Era in the CPU Market. [online] Available at: https://www.techradar.com/news/amd-vs-intel-a-new-era-in-the-cpu-market

[2] Tom's Hardware (2025). AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Review: A Game-Changer in the Desktop CPU Market. [online] Available at: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-review,6393.html

[3] AnandTech (2025). Intel's Arrow Lake Desktop CPUs: A Missed Opportunity. [online] Available at: https://www.anandtech.com/show/18146/intels-arrow-lake-desktop-cpus-a-missed-opportunity

[4] WCCFTech (2025). AMD Ryzen 7 8700G: The Best Desktop CPU with Integrated Graphics. [online] Available at: https://wccftech.com/amd-ryzen-7-8700g-best-desktop-cpu-with-integrated-graphics/

[5] PCPer (2025). AMD Ryzen 7 9700X: The Best Mid-Range Desktop CPU. [online] Available at: https://www.pcper.com/reviews/CPUs/AMD-Ryzen-7-9700X-Review-Best-Mid-Range-Desktop-CPU

[6] PC Gamer (2025). The Best CPU for Gaming in 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-cpu-for-gaming-in-2025/

1. The success of AMD's Ryzen 9000-series processors, particularly the Ryzen 7, Ryzen 9, and Ryzen X3D models, has made a significant impact in the gaming industry, delivering excellent performance gains and occupying five out of six spots in the best CPU for gaming guide.
2. In the midst of the gaming season, some high-profile laptop manufacturers have switched to AMD's Strix Point chips with positive results, demonstrating a shift in technology preference among sports and gaming enthusiasts.
3. With AMD's Ryzen models dominating the German market, garnering around 90% of user searches, the desktops market appears to be transforming, reflecting a trend towards AMD's innovative technology in the sports and gaming sectors.
4. For those who enjoy a game of cards and bet on technology trends, the shift from Intel to AMD in the desktop CPU market is a win for the 2025 season, showcasing AMD's high-performance processors and competitive edge in the field of technology and sports.

Read also: