Intel Maintains Over 75% x86 CPU Market Share Amidst AMD's Record Server Gains

Intel continues to hold a dominant position in the x86 processor market for PCs and servers, maintaining roughly a 75% unit share, according to recent data from Mercury Research. This enduring lead comes as rival AMD makes significant inroads, particularly in the lucrative server segment, achieving record market share figures.

As noted in a tweet by Tae Kim, citing Mercury Research, "> Intel still maintains roughly 75% unit share across PC and server x86 processor markets." The latest figures for Q1 2025 from Mercury Research show Intel's x86 CPU market share, excluding IoT and semi-custom products, at 75.6%, underscoring its consistent lead despite competitive pressures.

AMD has demonstrated substantial growth, especially in the server CPU market. In the first quarter of 2025, AMD's server unit share reached a record 27.2%, up from 23.6% a year prior. Furthermore, AMD's server revenue share surged to an impressive 39.4% in the same period, driven by strong demand for its EPYC processors and higher average selling prices.

In the desktop segment, AMD also saw its share increase to 28% in Q1 2025, a 4.1 percentage point gain year-over-year. This growth is partly attributed to strong demand for its high-end Ryzen 9000 X3D processors. Conversely, Intel maintained its lead in the mobile CPU market, though AMD still recorded higher year-over-year share in this segment.

The overall x86 market dynamics are also influenced by factors such as declining game console sales, which primarily impact AMD's semi-custom unit shipments. Beyond the x86 duopoly, ARM-based processors are emerging as a notable contender, with Mercury Research estimating ARM's overall CPU market share (across all segments) crossed into double digits for the first time, reaching 11.9% in Q1 2025.