The importance of Intel inside

While there are some technical differences between the microprocessor chips delivered from various manufacturers, the average buyer probably won't notice them.

Intel, the giant among chipmakers, supplies chips for 85% of the world's personal computers. Its "Intel Inside" campaign has been so successful that consumers often refer to PCs as "Intel PCs."

But chips from two much smaller rivals, Advanced Micro Devices and Cyrix, are gaining favor with PC makers who are looking for comparable but cheaper alternatives to Intel's chips.

Among these low-cost computers, the chips delivers about the same performance. And there are no compatibility issues that would adversely affect the computer, software or the user experience.

AMD and Cyrix are using a comparison guide known as the P-Rating system to rate the speed of their processors. An example of this is Cyrix's P-166 chip. Although this chip actually runs at 133MHz, it delivers essentially the same speed as a 166 MHz Pentium processor from Intel.

The P-Rating system is designed to place all of the chip manufacturers on a level playing field and give consumers a comparison system that is easy to understand at the point of purchase.

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