For decades, Intel has been the producer of data center CPUs, leading the market with its Xeon processors and capturing the hearts (of servers) worldwide. However, while the company does still power the majority of data centers, AMD has suddenly overtaken Intel in data center revenue – a surprising and sudden shift that we don’t expect to last too long.

While AMD’s EPYC processors power some of the most expensive machines in server rooms globally, Intel is still leading the market share, with a majority of data center units still using Xeon processors. And, while AMD has yet to win the popularity contest, it’s a clear sign that the company’s decision to focus on data centers was the right move.

AMD’s data center revenue overtakes Intel for the first time

As shared by SemiAnaylsis’ Sravan Kundojjala on X, a chart showcasing AMD and Intel’s data center revenue against Nvidia’s networking revenue highlights the small but noticeable bump where AMD overtakes Intel. While there’s a slow rise between Q1 2021 and Q3 2023, a sudden uplift in Q4 2023 sees AMD catch up to Intel, before finally overtaking them in Q3 2024. There’s very little difference between the two, but it’s impressive, to say the least.

While there is clearly a war on the consumer front too, with the upcoming launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D bringing an impressive chipset, especially when considering the recent GeekBench leaks, the battle between the two tech giants behind the scenes is equally exciting. However, while AMD’s revenue is largely from data centers, and the company is continuing to focus on servers over the consumer market, it’s unlikely that it will win against Intel. At least, not yet.

Demand for Intel’s Xeon 6 processors will likely remain high, and as production continues with the Granite Rapids processors, Intel’s revenue is likely to increase. Unless something drastic happens, Intel will likely take back the lead from AMD, but it’s an impressive thing to witness, even if the moments are already fleeting. That being said, AMD’s most expensive processor costs just shy of $12,000, while Intel’s most expensive offering sets data centers back $17,800, so if AMD can keep undercutting the competition, there may be a permanent shift in the future.

It’ll be interesting to witness whether or not AMD will be able to capture Intel’s market share over time, but for now, we imagine that Intel is still feeling secure as the dominant leader in data centers. Regardless, it’s still exciting to see AMD rival Intel so fiercely, and competition is always a great thing.

About the Author

Callum Self

Callum Self is a freelance writer and journalist, specializing in technology, hardware, and gaming.