MARA vs NVDA vs AMD vs RIOT vs SMCI

For growth investors, Riot Platforms, Inc.

(RIOT) is the stronger pick with 71. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 34. 3% for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD). Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) offers the better valuation at 20. 0x trailing P/E (13. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) a "Buy" — based on 19 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Super Micro Computer, Inc.

(SMCI) is the cheapest at 20. 0x versus Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. at 154. 1x. On forward P/E, Super Micro Computer, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Super Micro Computer, Inc. wins at 0. 23x versus Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 's 12. 08x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) delivered a total return of +1329%, compared to -59.

5% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NVDA returned +243. 2% versus MARA's -50. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

74β versus Riot Platforms, Inc. 's 3. 92β — meaning RIOT is approximately 125% more volatile than NVDA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 105% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Riot Platforms, Inc.

(RIOT) is pulling ahead at 71. 9% versus 34. 3% for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. grew EPS 165. 0% year-over-year, compared to -673. 5% for Riot Platforms, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NVDA leads at 100. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the more profitable company, earning 55.

6% net margin versus -144. 6% for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 55. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVDA leads at 60. 4% versus -90. 6% for MARA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVDA leads at 71. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 23x versus Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 's 12. 08x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) trades at 13. 9x forward P/E versus 62. 4x for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. — 48. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NVDA: 30. 4% to $275. 74.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Super Micro Computer, Inc.

(SMCI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1215% 10Y return). Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) carries a higher beta of 3. 10 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SMCI: +1215%, MARA: -50. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (MARA (Financial Services) and NVDA (Technology) and AMD (Technology) and RIOT (Financial Services) and SMCI (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.