Who should be Intel's next CEO? These are the top candidates people are buzzing about

With Brian Krzanich's sudden and surprise departure from Intel's CEO job, it's time to play the "who-will-take-his place" game.

Intel has a long tradition of grooming its CEOs from within its internal ranks.

And for good reason. Intel is a massive company with products ranging from PC processors to memory to networking, and the CEO needs to balance two very distinct jobs:

1. Keeping a global network of multi-billion dollar chip manufacturing facilities running smoothly and without any hiccups.

2. Having the vision to focus on the right products and to steer the company into new markets.

Finding someone who can do both of those jobs is no easy feat, which is why the company has always ended up going with someone internal.

But times are changing. The company is still recovering from missing the boat on the mobile platform shift. And some chip industry insiders are buzzing that now may finally be the time for Intel to break with tradition.

Click here to read Business Insider Prime's list of candidates, from inside and outside Intel, that are in the best position to take the reins of the $243 billion company.

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