Intel, AMD Among Fastest Growing Chip SuppliersIntel, AMD Among Fastest Growing Chip Suppliers

Among the 12 largest suppliers of microprocessors in the world, rivals Intel and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. were two of the fastest growing semiconductor companies this year.

Both Intel and AMD are expected to have a 15% growth rate in semiconductor revenue, according to research firm IC Insights. Only Sony, among the top 12, had a faster growth rate at 19%, although much of its production is for use internally in its video game consoles, digital TVs, and other consumer devices.

Intel remained the largest semiconductor supplier in the world. IC Insights estimates its 2005 revenue at $35.5 billion, up from $30.9 billion in 2004. AMD is the 12th largest vendor, up from 13th in 2004. AMD will have estimated 2005 revenue of $5.8 billion, up from $5.0 billion in 2004.

Overall, revenue for the top 20 semiconductor manufacturers in the world will total $165.9 billion in 2005, up 6% from the $157.1 billion in 2004, according to IC Insights.

The other chip vendors in the top five for 2005 were Samsung with $16.6 billion in revenue, Texas Instruments with $11.3 billion, Toshiba with $9.5 billion, and STMicroelectronics with $8.9 billion.