When it comes to modern chip manufacturing, Altera and Intel are two of the most prominent names in the business. Both offer powerful, top-of-the-line products that can handle extremely complex tasks. But while they have a lot in common when it comes to their products and capabilities, there are still some key differences between these two companies and their offerings. In this post we’ll take an in depth look at just what those distinctions are so you can make an informed decision about which is best for your needs.
Overview of Altera and Intel
Altera and Intel are two separate companies with complementary products. Altera is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices, or PLDs, and is the world’s largest independent maker of programmable embedded processors. On the other hand, Intel specializes in processor technology and microarchitecture while also producing a wide range of embedded components. When combined, these two industry leaders offer customers a complete set of hardware-software solutions that play a role in virtually every computing market available today. Their expansive product portfolios provide access to alterable designs that can be adapted and optimized for any application or purpose quickly and cost effectively. By leveraging both the complimentary hardware offerings from altera and intel, customers can gain an immense competitive advantage over competitors who only utilize one technology provider in their projects.
Differences in the Design Process
Altera and Intel have different design processes to meet the needs of their customers. Altera’s approach is centered around integrating IP blocks into a logical platform, providing customers with a variety of options in terms of size, performance and power consumption that fit their requirements. Intel on the other hand uses a traditional top-down design methodology, focusing on developing custom silicon to ensure highest levels of optimization. Therefore, customers can expect a different level of customization based on which company they choose to work with. With both altera and intel having cutting edge technology available to meet custom requirements at any cost, it’s important to understand the differences between their design processes in order to make an informed decision.
Advantages of using Altera for FPGA Design
Intel and Altera are constantly pushing the boundaries of FPGA design with their cutting-edge products. Altera’s FPGA solutions boast a variety of advantages, such as high performance, low power consumption, and flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. For those who prefer programmability without sacrificing performance and power efficiency, Altera’s FPGAs feature an SoC architecture enabling embedded hardware solutions that combine processing systems with FPGA logic in one package. By using Altera when designing FPGAs, you’re ensured reliable operation through powerful tools like Quartus Prime Design Software and OpenCL SDK. With such comprehensive solutions like these included in Intel-Altera FPGA platforms, developers can create unique designs quickly along with full access to customization features for their projects.
Advantages of Using Intel for CPU Design
Intel is one of the biggest and most reliable names in the PC industry, and that reputation can be leveraged to design powerful CPUs. Working with Intel’s Altera division, designers are given access to specialized tools such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which enable both high performance and flexibility. Notably, using such pieces of technology also significantly reduces development time and cost as well as create better end results — a boon for any developer. On top of that, leveraging Intel’s vast resources also offers powerful processor technology that remains scalable with advances in design over time. In other words, utilizing Intel in CPU designs speaks volumes about quality assurance from an already trusted brand name.
Pros and Cons of Each Platform
When evaluating which platform between Altera and Intel is best suited for a given application, there are many pros and cons to consider. Altera provides the power of FPGA devices, allowing them to quickly implement complex algorithms and solve common computing problems. Intel is renowned for providing some of the most advanced processors on the market with higher performance capabilities compared to altera’s FPGAs. However, their devices require more energy than altera’s FPGA devices and often come at a significantly higher cost. Ultimately, it comes down to assessing the requirements for a particular application in order to decide which platform would be most suitable.
What Are the Costs Involved with Each Platform ?
The costs of using altera and intel platforms can vary drastically depending on the application. Intel’s architecture utilizes more advanced components and software, meaning it will cost more for customization and for the initial installation of programs. On the other hand, altera offers a wide range of tools and development kits that enable users to achieve their desired results at affordable prices. Each platform also has its own unique licensing fees that have to be taken into consideration before deciding on which one to use. Needless to say, these costs can add up if not properly managed, so knowledge about each platform’s offerings is key when selecting the best fit for a particular project.
In conclusion, Altera and Intel are two very different platforms for software and hardware design. However, when it comes to creating cutting edge designs, these two platforms offer many similarities and advantages. With Altera’s powerful FPGA design tools, designers can quickly and efficiently design custom digital circuits that are tailored for unique or highly specialized applications. Intel CPU designs provide complex architecture features for scalability, security and advanced computing capabilities. Both of these options come at a cost with professionals paying a premium for Altera’s chipsets over Intel’s Xeon processors. Ultimately the best platform depends on the situation and application but both are essential in a wide range of computing tasks. By weighing pros/cons of each system as well as their associated costs, it is possible to make an informed decision as to which platform works best depending on the requirements needed.
