AMD A10-7700K vs Intel Core i5-3610ME Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their aggregate benchmark scores land within a narrow band. The AMD A10-7700K posts an average benchmark score of 801, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME trails slightly at 788. That 1.6% gap places both chips in essentially the same performance tier, despite their architectural differences.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, the A10-7700K sits exactly level with the Intel Xeon E5530 and the Intel Pentium Silver J5040, both scoring 801 with a 0% delta. It also trails the Intel Core i5-3320M by just 0.2% (803 vs. 801) and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U by 0.5% (805 vs. 801). The i5-3610ME, meanwhile, matches the Intel Core i5-4210U at 788, and sits within 0.2% of the AMD Opteron 3350 HE and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650, both at 789. The overall percentiles reinforce this picture: the A10-7700K ranks in the 22nd percentile among all CPUs, while the i5-3610ME sits just one point lower at the 21st percentile.

The benchmark suites available for each chip do not overlap directly, which limits a true apples-to-apples comparison. The A10-7700K was measured with Geekbench multicore and singlecore tests, scoring 1155 and 447 respectively. The i5-3610ME was measured across multiple Cinebench versions: R15 multicore at 230, R20 multicore at 961, R20 singlecore at 135, R23 multicore at 2289, and R23 singlecore at 323. These different workloads make direct score comparisons impossible, but the aggregate averages and percentiles offer a consistent yardstick.

The data indicates that neither chip decisively dominates the other in raw compute. The A10-7700K's 4 cores at 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost give it a clock advantage, while the i5-3610ME's 2 cores with 4 threads at 2.70 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost rely on Hyper-Threading to compensate. The benchmark averages suggest that the AMD part holds a slight edge overall, but the margin is thin enough that real-world application differences could easily flip the outcome.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing nodes. The AMD A10-7700K uses the Steamroller architecture under the Kaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-3610ME uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a much smaller 118 mm² die. Intel does not list a transistor count for this part in the database.

Core and cache configurations diverge sharply. The A10-7700K offers 4 physical cores with 4 threads, no simultaneous multithreading. Its cache hierarchy includes 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache. The i5-3610ME offers 2 physical cores with 4 threads, using Hyper-Threading to double its thread count. Its cache includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel chip has a dedicated L3 pool, while the AMD chip relies entirely on its larger L2.

Memory support also differs. The A10-7700K supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, with a measured memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-3610ME also supports dual-channel memory, but the database does not list its memory type or bandwidth. Neither chip supports ECC memory. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-3610ME has no PCIe information recorded.

Integrated graphics distinguish these parts further. The A10-7700K includes a Radeon R7 GPU, which is a significant component of its design as an accelerated processing unit. The i5-3610ME includes Intel HD 4000 graphics. The AMD chip is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel chip is a mobile part with a locked multiplier.

The production status also differs: the A10-7700K is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-3610ME has no production status recorded. Release dates show the Intel part launched on 2012-05-31, nearly two years before the AMD part's 2014-01-13 release.

The Verdict

The data points to a near-tie in overall compute performance, with the AMD A10-7700K holding a marginal edge. Its average benchmark score of 801 versus 788 for the Intel Core i5-3610ME represents a 1.6% difference, which is well within typical run-to-run variance. The percentile rankings confirm this: 22nd percentile for AMD versus 21st for Intel.

For users prioritizing integrated graphics performance, the A10-7700K has the clear advantage on paper, as its Radeon R7 GPU is a more substantial graphics solution compared to Intel HD 4000. The AMD part also offers an unlocked multiplier, making it the choice for overclocking enthusiasts, and its 4 physical cores provide a foundation for workloads that scale with core count.

For users prioritizing power efficiency and mobile deployment, the i5-3610ME wins decisively. Its 35 W TDP versus the A10-7700K's 95 W TDP means the Intel chip draws less than half the power. The smaller die size (118 mm² versus 245 mm²) and 22 nm process also suggest better thermal characteristics. The i5-3610ME's 4 threads on 2 cores, backed by 3 MB of shared L3, may handle lightly threaded workloads with lower latency.

The database does not record a head-to-head benchmark suite for these two chips, and each has zero recorded wins in direct comparison. The verdict hinges on context: the AMD part suits desktop builds where power draw is less critical and graphics output matters, while the Intel part suits embedded or mobile systems where efficiency is paramount.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10-7700K scores 801 on average, while the Intel Core i5-3610ME scores 788, giving AMD a 1.6% advantage.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The A10-7700K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i5-3610ME has 2 cores and 4 threads, using Hyper-Threading to match the thread count.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The A10-7700K has a 95 W TDP, while the i5-3610ME has a 35 W TDP. The Intel chip consumes less than half the power.

Q: Do both processors support overclocking?

A: No. The A10-7700K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The i5-3610ME has a locked multiplier, so it does not support overclocking.

Q: What integrated graphics do they include?

A: The A10-7700K includes a Radeon R7 GPU. The i5-3610ME includes Intel HD 4000 graphics.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The A10-7700K has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3. The i5-3610ME has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has more total L2, while the Intel part uniquely offers L3.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7700K wins in scenarios that benefit from more physical cores and higher clock speeds. Its 4 cores at 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost provide raw throughput for multithreaded desktop applications. The 4 MB of L2 cache, while lacking L3, still offers a substantial cache pool for frequently accessed data. The Radeon R7 integrated graphics give it a decisive edge in GPU-accelerated workloads and light gaming without a discrete graphics card. The unlocked multiplier makes it the preferred choice for enthusiasts who want to push clock speeds beyond the stock 3.80 GHz boost.

The Intel Core i5-3610ME wins in power-sensitive and mobile applications. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops, embedded systems, and compact form factors where thermal headroom is limited. The 22 nm process and smaller 118 mm² die contribute to lower power consumption and heat generation. The 3 MB of shared L3 cache provides a latency advantage for workloads that repeatedly access a working set that fits within that pool. The locked multiplier is a non-issue for mobile deployments where overclocking is rarely a consideration. The Intel HD 4000 graphics, while less capable than the Radeon R7, still provides basic display output and video decode functions.

For single-threaded performance, the data is less clear. The A10-7700K's Geekbench singlecore score of 447 and the i5-3610ME's Cinebench R20 singlecore score of 135 and R23 singlecore score of 323 come from different test suites, so no direct comparison is possible. However, the higher boost clock on the AMD part (3.80 GHz versus 3.30 GHz) suggests it may hold an advantage in lightly threaded scenarios. The i5-3610ME's Hyper-Threading, meanwhile, helps it extract more work from its 2 physical cores in threaded workloads.

The database's nearest rival data contextualizes both chips. The A10-7700K competes with the Intel Core i5-3320M, a mobile chip from the same era, and the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U, a much newer entry-level mobile part. The i5-3610ME competes with the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and QX9770, both desktop parts from an older generation. This suggests the Intel mobile chip holds its own against older desktop silicon, while the AMD desktop chip trades blows with mobile processors of varying vintages.

In summary, the A10-7700K is the pick for desktop users who want integrated graphics muscle, overclocking headroom, and four physical cores. The i5-3610ME is the pick for mobile or embedded users who need low power draw, a compact design, and the efficiency of a 22 nm process. Neither chip dominates the other in aggregate performance, and the choice comes down to platform and priorities.