AMD A10-7870K vs AMD PRO A8-9600 Comparison

The AMD A10-7870K and AMD PRO A8-9600 are both four-core, four-thread desktop processors from AMD, but they represent different generations and platforms. The A10-7870K is a Steamroller-based part for Socket FM2+, while the PRO A8-9600 is an Excavator-based part for Socket AM4. Benchmark data shows the A10-7870K winning all five head-to-head tests, yet the PRO A8-9600 matches it in overall percentile ranking, making this a closer comparison than the raw scores suggest.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The AMD PRO A8-9600 is significantly lower, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The A10-7870K has an average benchmark score of 975, while the PRO A8-9600 scores 971. This places the A10-7870K just 0.4% ahead of the PRO A8-9600, a margin that falls within typical run-to-run variance.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The A10-7870K supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The PRO A8-9600 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, offering a higher theoretical memory ceiling.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The PRO A8-9600 has a locked multiplier, meaning its clock speeds are fixed.

Q: What are the thermal design power (TDP) differences?

A: The A10-7870K has a TDP of 95 watts, while the PRO A8-9600 is more power-efficient with a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the PRO A8-9600 a cooler-running option.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache?

A: The A10-7870K has 4 MB of L2 cache, double the 2 MB L2 cache found on the PRO A8-9600. However, the PRO A8-9600 has a larger L1 cache at 320 KB versus 256 KB.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear performance winner: the AMD A10-7870K takes all five head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 5.3% to 5.5% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 workloads. If raw processing speed is the sole criterion, the A10-7870K is the pick. Its higher base and boost clocks — 3.90 GHz and 4.10 GHz versus 3.10 GHz and 3.40 GHz — directly translate into a consistent lead in every measured multi-core and single-core test.

However, the PRO A8-9600 is far from obsolete. Its average benchmark score of 971 is only 0.4% behind the A10-7870K's 975, placing both in the 26th percentile of all CPUs. For users prioritizing power efficiency, the PRO A8-9600's 65-watt TDP is a substantial advantage over the A10-7870K's 95-watt TDP. It also sits on the modern AM4 platform with DDR4 memory support, offering 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth compared to the A10-7870K's 34.1 GB/s on DDR3.

The choice depends on the platform and priorities. The A10-7870K is the faster chip for compute-heavy tasks, but the PRO A8-9600 is the more efficient, modern-platform option. The PRO A8-9600 also has an active production status, while the A10-7870K is end-of-life, which matters for long-term availability. For a new build, the PRO A8-9600's platform advantages may outweigh its small performance deficit; for an existing FM2+ system, the A10-7870K is the clear upgrade.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The A10-7870K demonstrates a consistent, narrow victory across all Cinebench iterations. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10-7870K scores 299 against the PRO A8-9600's 284, a 5.3% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-7870K posts 1249 versus 1184, a 5.5% lead. The single-core results tell the same story: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the A10-7870K scores 176 against 167, a 5.4% margin, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, the A10-7870K hits 420 versus 398, another 5.5% win.

The largest absolute difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the A10-7870K scores 2975 against the PRO A8-9600's 2820. That 155-point gap is the biggest raw score difference in the entire head-to-head set. Interestingly, the PRO A8-9600's nearest rival data shows it trailing the A10-7870K by only 0.4% on average score, which seems at odds with the 5.5% Cinebench deltas. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that the A10-7870K has a Geekbench multi-core score of 1225 and a single-core score of 478, tests that the PRO A8-9600 does not have recorded, pulling the A10-7870K's average up.

The PRO A8-9600's closest competitor in its own rival list is the Intel Core i5-2400S, which it leads by 0.3%, and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U, which it also leads by 0.4%. The A10-7870K ties exactly with the Intel Core i3-4130 and AMD Athlon X4 840, both at 975 average score. This places both AMD chips in the same performance tier as mid-range Intel Core i3 and older i5 parts, with the A10-7870K holding a slight edge.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. The A10-7870K runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, while the PRO A8-9600 operates at 3.10 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The A10-7870K consumes 95 watts of TDP, whereas the PRO A8-9600 draws only 65 watts. Socket compatibility is completely different: the A10-7870K uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the PRO A8-9600 uses AMD Socket AM4.

Cache configuration differs as well. The A10-7870K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, while the PRO A8-9600 has 320 KB of L1 cache but only 2 MB of L2 cache. Memory support diverges by generation: the A10-7870K uses DDR3 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, and the PRO A8-9600 uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The A10-7870K provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the PRO A8-9600 provides Gen 3 with only 8 lanes (CPU only). The A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the PRO A8-9600 is locked. Production status also differs: the A10-7870K is end-of-life, while the PRO A8-9600 remains active. The part numbers are AD787KXDI44JCAD787KXDJCBOXAD787KXDJCSBX for the A10-7870K and AD960BAGM44AB for the PRO A8-9600.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these chips is significant. The A10-7870K uses the Steamroller architecture under the Godaveri codename, while the PRO A8-9600 uses the Excavator architecture under the Bristol Ridge codename. Both are built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, but the transistor counts differ substantially: the A10-7870K packs 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, while the PRO A8-9600 contains 3,100 million transistors on a slightly larger 250 mm² die.

The Excavator architecture in the PRO A8-9600 is a newer design than Steamroller, which explains the higher transistor count despite the smaller L2 cache. The PRO A8-9600's 320 KB L1 cache is 25% larger than the A10-7870K's 256 KB, but the A10-7870K compensates with double the L2 cache at 4 MB versus 2 MB. The PRO A8-9600's support for DDR4 memory and its newer AM4 socket indicate a more modern platform design, even though it runs at lower clock speeds.

Both processors integrate Radeon R7 graphics, and both have four cores and four threads. Neither has an L3 cache or 3D V-Cache. The A10-7870K was released earlier, on 2015-05-27, while the PRO A8-9600 followed on 2016-10-02. The PRO A8-9600's Excavator core is also designed for higher efficiency, as reflected in its 65-watt TDP, a full 30 watts lower than the A10-7870K. This efficiency gain comes despite the PRO A8-9600 having more transistors, indicating a refined architecture rather than a simple die shrink. The A10-7870K's unlocked multiplier is the final notable difference, giving enthusiasts headroom that the PRO A8-9600 lacks entirely.