AMD A10-7850K vs Intel Core i7-5550U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5550U and AMD A10-7850K occupy nearly the same performance tier despite coming from opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The database shows the Intel part averaging a score of 813, placing it at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip averages 796, sitting at the 21st percentile. The two are separated by just 2.1% in average benchmark score, yet they achieve this parity through completely different design philosophies: the i7-5550U is a 15-watt mobile chip with 2 cores and 4 threads, while the A10-7850K is a 95-watt desktop part with 4 physical cores. The recorded data indicates a near-total performance tie, but the underlying characteristics dictate very different use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-5550U wins in sustained throughput scenarios that benefit from its higher thread count relative to physical cores. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score of 238 and R20 multicore score of 992 show that Hyper-Threading allows the 2-core, 4-thread design to extract respectable multi-threaded performance. The chip further demonstrates strength in newer rendering workloads, posting a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2363 and a single-core score of 333. For mobile users running content creation tasks on the go, the data suggests this processor can handle moderate multi-threaded loads without the power draw of a desktop part.

The AMD A10-7850K wins in raw single-thread responsiveness and legacy workload compatibility. Its Geekbench single-core score of 453 versus the Intel chip's R23 single-core score of 333 (different tests, but indicative of the gap) shows the AMD part's higher clock speed, 3.70 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, delivers snappier per-thread execution. The A10-7850K also benefits from having 4 true physical cores, which avoids the scheduling complexities of Hyper-Threading in older software. The desktop segment advantage is clear: this chip is built for stationary systems where power consumption is less critical than raw clock speed and core count.

The benchmark split is stark: Intel's wins are all in Cinebench rendering tests, while AMD's only recorded wins are in Geekbench. This suggests the i7-5550U is better suited for rendering and compilation workloads, while the A10-7850K excels in general desktop responsiveness and older single-threaded applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i7-5550U is built on Broadwell, specifically the Broadwell-U variant, using a 14 nm process at Intel's fabs. It packs 1,900 million transistors into a 133 mm² die. The architecture features 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The memory controller supports DDR3 in dual-channel configuration, delivering 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The chip uses PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU, and its integrated graphics are Intel HD 6000.

The AMD A10-7850K uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, fabricated on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The die is substantially larger at 245 mm² and contains 2,411 million transistors. The cache layout differs significantly: 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. The memory support is DDR3, but the database does not record a memory bus width or bandwidth figure. The AMD chip supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, a generation ahead of Intel's offering. Its integrated graphics are Radeon R7, and the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, a feature absent on the Intel part.

The process node difference, 14 nm versus 28 nm, explains the massive TDP disparity: 15 watts for Intel versus 95 watts for AMD. The Intel chip achieves better performance per watt, while the AMD chip uses its power budget to drive higher clock speeds and a larger GPU. The A10-7850K also has no L3 cache, relying entirely on its 4 MB L2, which may impact latency-sensitive workloads compared to the Intel part's shared L3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark data between these two specific processors is not recorded in the database. However, comparing their individual benchmark suites reveals the performance landscape. The Intel Core i7-5550U delivers a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 238, an R20 multicore score of 992, and an R20 single-core score of 139. Moving to R23, it scores 2363 multicore and 333 single-core. These numbers paint a picture of a chip that scales well with additional threads, given its modest 2-core base.

The AMD A10-7850K has only Geekbench results recorded: 1139 multicore and 453 single-core. While these are different benchmark families, the single-core gap is instructive. The AMD part's 453 Geekbench single-core score is far ahead of the Intel chip's 333 R23 single-core score, though direct cross-benchmark comparisons are imprecise. The AMD chip's 4.00 GHz boost clock versus Intel's 3.00 GHz boost clock explains this advantage in single-threaded performance.

In multi-threaded terms, the AMD part's 1139 Geekbench multicore score, while not directly comparable to Cinebench, shows that 4 physical cores at 3.70 GHz base can produce competitive results. The Intel chip's R23 multicore score of 2363 indicates that with proper thread utilization, its 4 threads can keep pace with the AMD's 4 cores in rendering workloads. The average benchmark scores, 813 for Intel and 796 for AMD, confirm that neither chip holds a decisive edge overall.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, the Intel Core i7-5550U sits exactly at 813, matching the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 with a 0% delta, while trailing the Intel Xeon X3440 by 0.2% and the Intel Core i5-L16G7 by 0.4%. It leads the AMD A10-6800K by 0.5%. The AMD A10-7850K, at 796, trails the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G by 0.1%, leads the AMD A6-9400 by 0.2%, and leads the AMD A10-5800B by 0.3%, while trailing the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 by 0.6%. These deltas are all within 1%, confirming both chips sit in a tightly packed performance band.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD A10-7850K, with a Geekbench single-core score of 453, while the Intel Core i7-5550U records a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 333. The AMD chip's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.00 GHz supports this advantage.

Q: Are these chips comparable in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 813 for Intel and 796 for AMD, a 2.1% difference. The Intel chip uses 4 threads on 2 cores, while AMD uses 4 physical cores, and both land near the 21st and 22nd percentiles of all CPUs.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-5550U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the AMD A10-7850K has a TDP of 95 watts. This 80-watt gap reflects the Intel part's mobile design and 14 nm process versus AMD's desktop-oriented 28 nm design.

Q: Can the AMD A10-7850K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the A10-7850K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Intel Core i7-5550U does not have an unlocked multiplier, so its clock speeds are fixed at 2.00 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The AMD A10-7850K has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache. The Intel Core i7-5550U has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The total L2 on Intel is 512 KB, so AMD has more total cache.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The AMD A10-7850K was released on January 13, 2014, and the Intel Core i7-5550U was released on February 28, 2015. Both are now end-of-life products.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split: choose the Intel Core i7-5550U for mobile computing and rendering workloads, and choose the AMD A10-7850K for desktop systems where single-thread speed and overclocking matter. The Intel chip's 15-watt TDP and BGA 1168 socket make it suitable only for laptops and compact devices, while the AMD part's Socket FM2+ and 95-watt TDP require a full desktop platform. The benchmark results show Intel winning in Cinebench rendering tests, with an R23 multicore score of 2363, while AMD wins in Geekbench, with a single-core score of 453. Users who prioritize battery life and portability should select the i7-5550U, while those building a desktop with an emphasis on clock speed and core count, plus the ability to overclock, should pick the A10-7850K. The average scores, 813 versus 796, indicate that performance parity is real, so the decision hinges on platform requirements rather than raw compute capability.

For content creators on the move, the Intel part's Cinebench performance is the stronger indicator of rendering capability. For gamers or general desktop users running older software, the AMD part's higher clock speed and 4 physical cores provide a smoother experience. The unlocked multiplier on the AMD chip is a significant advantage for enthusiasts, allowing the 4.00 GHz boost to be pushed higher with adequate cooling. The Intel chip's integrated Intel HD 6000 graphics versus AMD's Radeon R7 also factors into decisions for systems without discrete GPUs, though the database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i7-5550U and AMD A10-7850K:

• Cores: 2 (Intel) versus 4 (AMD)
• Threads: 4 (Intel) versus 4 (AMD)
• Base clock: 2.00 GHz (Intel) versus 3.70 GHz (AMD)
• Boost clock: 3.00 GHz (Intel) versus 4.00 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 15 watts (Intel) versus 95 watts (AMD)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1168 versus AMD Socket FM2+
• Architecture: Broadwell (Intel) versus Steamroller (AMD)
• Codename: Broadwell-U (Intel) versus Kaveri (AMD)
• Process node: 14 nm (Intel) versus 28 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel versus GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: 1,900 million (Intel) versus 2,411 million (AMD)
• Die size: 133 mm² (Intel) versus 245 mm² (AMD)
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core (Intel) versus 256 KB (AMD)
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core (Intel) versus 4 MB (AMD)
• L3 cache: 4 MB shared (Intel) versus none (AMD)
• Memory bus: Dual-channel (Intel) versus not recorded (AMD)
• Memory bandwidth: 29.9 GB/s (Intel) versus not recorded (AMD)
• PCIe: Gen 2, 12 lanes (Intel) versus Gen 3, 16 lanes (AMD)
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 6000 versus Radeon R7
• Market segment: Mobile (Intel) versus Desktop (AMD)
• Release date: February 28, 2015 (Intel) versus January 13, 2014 (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: $426 (Intel) versus not recorded (AMD)
• Multiplier unlocked: No (Intel) versus Yes (AMD)
• Part number: SR26A (Intel) versus AD785KXBI44JAAD785KXBJABOX (AMD)