AMD A10-7700K vs Intel Core i5-4210U Comparison

The AMD A10-7700K and the Intel Core i5-4210U are two processors from the same era but designed for entirely different purposes. The A10-7700K is a desktop part with a 95W TDP, built for socket FM2+, while the i5-4210U is a mobile chip with a 15W TDP, soldered to the motherboard. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel part wins both recorded comparisons, but the AMD chip offers a different set of platform features. This analysis breaks down the recorded scores, architectural differences, and what each processor is best suited for based strictly on the database measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows the Intel Core i5-4210U winning both head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the AMD A10-7700K. In the Geekbench multi-core test, the i5-4210U scores 1395 versus the A10-7700K's 1155, a delta of -17.2% in favor of Intel. The single-core result is even more decisive: the i5-4210U scores 745 while the A10-7700K manages only 447, a 40% gap. This means the Intel part wins every measured performance contest in this comparison.

However, the A10-7700K is not without its own strengths. It is a desktop processor with a 95W TDP, a socket FM2+ design, and a fully unlocked multiplier, meaning it can be overclocked. The i5-4210U has a locked multiplier and is a mobile part, so it cannot be overclocked. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to the i5-4210U's 1.70 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The A10-7700K also features a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, while the i5-4210U uses Intel HD 4400. The AMD part's market segment is desktop, and it supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Intel part has no recorded PCIe data. For a builder looking for an overclockable desktop platform with a stronger integrated GPU, the A10-7700K has clear advantages, even if its CPU benchmark scores are lower.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturers and use different internal designs. The AMD A10-7700K is based on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, and is built on a 28nm process by GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-4210U uses the Haswell architecture, also codenamed Haswell, and is built on a 22nm process by Intel. It has 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die. The smaller process node and die size for Intel suggest a more efficient design, which aligns with its much lower 15W TDP versus the AMD part's 95W TDP.

The core configurations differ significantly. The AMD A10-7700K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4210U has 2 cores and 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Cache layouts are also different: the AMD part has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache recorded. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has a dedicated L3 cache, which the AMD chip lacks entirely. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but only the AMD part has a recorded dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Intel part has no recorded memory bus or bandwidth data. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics also differ: the A10-7700K has a Radeon R7, while the i5-4210U has Intel HD 4400. The AMD part is marked as end-of-life production status, while the Intel part has no recorded production status. The A10-7700K has a release date of January 2014, and the i5-4210U was released in April 2014. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier (part number AD770KXBI44JAAD770KXBI44JABOX), while the Intel part is locked (part number SR1EF). These are fundamentally different architectures: one is a high-power desktop chip with a large die and integrated Radeon graphics, the other is a low-power mobile chip with a smaller die and integrated HD 4400 graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records two head-to-head benchmark comparisons between these processors, both won by the Intel Core i5-4210U.

In the Geekbench multi-core test, the Intel Core i5-4210U scores 1395 against the AMD A10-7700K's 1155. This is a delta of -17.2% from the AMD part's perspective, meaning the Intel chip is about 17% faster in multi-threaded workloads. This result is notable because the AMD part has 4 physical cores, while the Intel part has only 2 cores with 4 threads. Despite having half the physical core count, the Intel part's higher IPC (instructions per clock) and efficient Haswell architecture allow it to outperform the AMD chip in this multi-core test.

In the Geekbench single-core test, the gap is much larger. The Intel Core i5-4210U scores 745, while the AMD A10-7700K scores 447. This is a delta of -40% for the AMD part. This means the Intel chip is 40% faster in single-threaded performance. This is a massive difference and highlights the architectural efficiency advantage of the Haswell design over the Steamroller design. The i5-4210U's boost clock is only 2.70 GHz, which is significantly lower than the A10-7700K's 3.80 GHz boost, yet it still manages to be 40% faster in single-core performance. This indicates that the Intel core is far more efficient per clock cycle.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the AMD A10-7700K has an average score of 801, while the Intel Core i5-4210U has an average of 788. The AMD part sits at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 21st percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Intel Xeon E5530 (avg score 801, 0% delta), the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 (avg score 801, 0% delta), and the Intel Core i5-3320M (avg score 803, -0.2% delta). The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Core i5-3610ME (avg score 788, 0.1% delta), the AMD Opteron 3350 HE (avg score 789, -0.2% delta), and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (avg score 789, -0.2% delta). These rival comparisons show that both chips sit in a similar performance tier overall, despite the Intel part winning the head-to-head tests.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-4210U is the faster processor in both recorded benchmark tests. It wins the Geekbench multi-core test by 17.2% and the single-core test by 40%. For any workload that relies on CPU performance, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the Intel part is the clear winner based on the recorded measurements. The i5-4210U also has a much lower TDP of 15W versus the A10-7700K's 95W, making it far more power-efficient. This makes the Intel part the better choice for a laptop or any power-constrained system, and it also wins on raw CPU speed.

The AMD A10-7700K, however, is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, which means it can be overclocked. It also has a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, which is likely more capable than the Intel HD 4400, though the database does not record any GPU benchmark scores. The AMD part supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, which is useful for a desktop GPU, and it has a dual-channel memory bus with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. For a desktop builder who wants to overclock and use a dedicated graphics card, the A10-7700K offers a more flexible platform. But if the question is purely about CPU benchmark performance, the Intel Core i5-4210U is the better processor based on the data.

The verdict depends on the use case. For a mobile, low-power, high-performance CPU, the Intel Core i5-4210U is the clear pick. For a desktop system where overclocking and integrated Radeon graphics matter more than raw CPU scores, the A10-7700K has its place. But strictly from the recorded benchmark data, the Intel part wins both tests, and the single-core gap is substantial.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4210U has a higher Geekbench multi-core score of 1395, compared to the AMD A10-7700K's 1155, a 17.2% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the Intel part in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-4210U scores 745 in Geekbench single-core, which is 40% higher than the AMD A10-7700K's score of 447.

Q: Which chip has more physical cores?

A: The AMD A10-7700K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4210U has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD A10-7700K has a TDP of 95W, while the Intel Core i5-4210U has a TDP of 15W, making the Intel chip significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Can either processor be overclocked?

A: The AMD A10-7700K has an unlocked multiplier, so it can be overclocked. The Intel Core i5-4210U has a locked multiplier, so it cannot.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for both processors?

A: The AMD A10-7700K has an average benchmark score of 801, while the Intel Core i5-4210U has an average score of 788, placing them at the 22nd and 21st percentiles of all CPUs, respectively.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A10-7700K | Intel Core i5-4210U |

|----------------|---------------|---------------------|

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 1.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 95W | 15W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Haswell |

| Codename | Kaveri | Haswell |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 118 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 256 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | None | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not recorded |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 4400 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | AD770KXBI44JAAD770KXBI44JABOX | SR1EF |