The latest update from the widely-followed PassMark CPU benchmark database presents intriguing insights into the current landscape of the CPU market as of the first quarter of 2025. In the overview encompassing all CPUs, Intel still takes a significant lead with 59.5% of the market, while AMD stands firmly at 38.8%. Although minor, Apple and Qualcomm maintain their presence with market shares of 1.2% and 0.2%, respectively. However, there’s anticipation that Qualcomm’s share might see growth with the introduction of new Snapdragon X series chips.
The story becomes more gripping when we zoom in on desktop CPU statistics, where AMD has taken a surprising lead. Against expectations, AMD has carved out a victory over Intel with 50.1% compared to Intel’s 48.5%. This achievement marks AMD’s third major breakthrough in this segment, following its previous successes in 2021 and back in 2006 with the formidable Athlon 64 series. The rise is attributed largely to the impact of the powerful Ryzen 9000 series processors, built on the Granite Ridge Zen 5 architecture. Notably, the Ryzen 9 9950X model stands out, highlighting its popularity and performance strength with a significant number of units already benchmarked.
However, the narrative changes when it comes to the laptop market, where Intel remains the dominant force, commanding a hefty 73.6% market share. Despite AMD’s initial gains, driven by its innovative Zen microarchitecture, its advancement has stagnated since late 2020. Intel’s overwhelming position in the laptop sector is a hard trend to shake, although AMD had minor victories along the way, boosted by standout models like the Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 and the Schenker XMG Core 15, powered by Ryzen 4000 series chips.
Meanwhile, Apple made a noteworthy dent with its shift to silicon in 2020. The introduction of the M1 chip initially challenged Intel’s supremacy, achieving an 8.5% share in 2021. However, competition remains stiff, and AMD’s laptops have struggled to gain a larger foothold amidst supply issues and the fierce market dynamics.
In essence, while AMD shines with its progress in desktop CPUs, the battle in the laptop arena still heavily leans in Intel’s favor, and only time will tell how the race will evolve with technological advancements and strategic shifts in the industry.
