Nvidia vs AMD vs Intel Since 2015: The Semiconductor Reshuffle
NVDA · AMD · INTC · Since 2015 · $1,000 split across each
In January 2015, AMD's monthly close was under $3, Nvidia's was under $1 on a split-adjusted basis, and Intel's was about $25.
A decade later, the order has completely inverted. This is the single most dramatic hierarchy change in large-cap semiconductors, and the chart requires a log scale to show all three lines at once.
What the chart shows
Nvidia has the largest return of the three
Nvidia's 2015 to present return is roughly double AMD's and far ahead of Intel's. The AI rally from 2023 onward contributed most of the dollar gain, but the base return from 2015 to 2022 was already exceptional.
AMD is the turnaround story that actually worked
AMD's monthly close was $2.57 in January 2015. Its highest 2024 monthly close, in February 2024, was roughly 75 times that, and the latest close is more than 200 times it.
Intel returned the least of the three
Intel finished the window above where it started, with a return close to the S&P 500's and far below Nvidia's and AMD's. Its path was bumpier than the index, including a drop of about two thirds from its March 2021 high to its January 2025 low.
The gap widened in 2023 and 2024
AMD was ahead of Nvidia at the start of 2019, 2020 and 2021, and Nvidia took the lead by the start of 2022. The generative-AI rally from 2023 pulled it from "best of three" to "in a different league." Holders who sold Nvidia in 2021 gave up most of the return.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nvidia still a buy at current prices?
This is not financial advice. The historical return does not predict the future. Use /calculator/?mode=project&t=NVDA to model forward scenarios.
How has Intel compared with Nvidia and AMD?
Over this window Intel returned far less than Nvidia and AMD, and about the same as the S&P 500. The interactive tool above shows exact values through the most recent price date.
How does AMD compare directly with Nvidia as an AI play?
AMD's MI300 and MI325 GPUs began shipping in volume during 2024. Revenue has grown but remains a fraction of Nvidia's data-center segment. The stock reflects both the AI opportunity and the execution risk.
What about Broadcom and TSMC?
Both are also massive AI beneficiaries and have outperformed Intel significantly. A broader semiconductor matchup is on our content roadmap. For now, /calculator/?t=AVGO and /calculator/?t=TSM will show their paths.
Related matchups
More reading
Numbers worth sharing
Occasional data drops when something interesting surfaces. No schedule, just signal.
For informational and educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All calculations are based on split-adjusted closing prices from Yahoo Finance and do not account for dividends, taxes, or trading fees. See our methodology and full disclaimer.