AMD A10-7870K vs AMD Ryzen Embedded R1600 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the AMD A10-7870K across every Cinebench workload in the comparison. The A10-7870K wins all five matched tests, with the largest margin coming in multi-threaded rendering tasks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10-7870K scores 299 against the Ryzen Embedded R1600’s 280, a 6.8% lead. That same 6.8% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-7870K posts 1249 versus 1169 for the R1600. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 2975 for the A10-7870K, 2784 for the R1600, a 6.9% gap.

Single-threaded results tell the same story with slightly smaller margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the A10-7870K scores 176, the R1600 scores 165, a 6.7% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the A10-7870K at 420 and the R1600 at 393, a 6.9% edge. The A10-7870K also holds a Geekbench advantage in the database, though the R1600 has no Geekbench entry in the matched set. The A10-7870K’s Geekbench multi-core score is 1225 and single-core is 478.

The average benchmark score in the database reflects the same ordering. The A10-7870K averages 975, landing at the 26th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-4130, AMD Athlon X4 840, and Intel Core i3-4150T, each also averaging 975 with a 0% delta, and the Intel Core i5-5257U at 976 with a -0.1% delta. The R1600 averages 958, also at the 26th percentile, with nearest rivals including the AMD Opteron 4386 and Intel Core i7-950 at 957 (0.1% delta), plus the AMD Athlon X4 870K and Intel Xeon W3550 at 956 (0.2% delta). So while the A10-7870K wins every direct matchup, both chips occupy essentially the same performance tier.

The margins are small enough that real-world differences would be difficult to perceive outside of sustained rendering workloads. Still, the data is unambiguous: the A10-7870K is faster in every Cinebench test recorded for both parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The A10-7870K uses the Steamroller architecture on the Godaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It is a desktop part from the A10 generation, released in May 2015. The Ryzen Embedded R1600 uses the Zen architecture, also codenamed Zen (Banded Kestrel), manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It belongs to the Ryzen Embedded 1000 series, released in February 2020, and targets the mobile segment.

Core counts differ: the A10-7870K has four physical cores and four threads, while the R1600 has two physical cores and four threads. That thread count equality explains why the A10-7870K’s multi-core wins are not larger. Clock speeds favor the A10-7870K substantially. Its base clock is 3.90 GHz with a boost of 4.10 GHz, while the R1600 runs at 2.60 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The A10-7870K also has an unlocked multiplier, a feature absent on the R1600.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The A10-7870K has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache. The R1600 has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The R1600’s extra L3 helps compensate for its lower clocks and fewer physical cores.

Transistor counts and die sizes reflect the process gap. The A10-7870K contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. The R1600 packs 3,500 million transistors into a smaller 148 mm² die, thanks to the denser 14 nm node.

Memory support also diverges. The A10-7870K uses DDR3 with dual-channel access and a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The R1600 uses DDR4, also dual-channel, with a higher bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the R1600 but not on the A10-7870K.

PCIe lanes differ as well. The A10-7870K provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the R1600 provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes. The A10-7870K includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics; the R1600 has no integrated graphics. Socket compatibility is entirely separate: the A10-7870K uses AMD Socket FM2+, the R1600 uses AMD Socket FP5. The A10-7870K is end-of-life, while the R1600 remains active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: The AMD A10-7870K wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It leads by 6.8% in R15 (299 vs 280), 6.8% in R20 (1249 vs 1169), and 6.9% in R23 (2975 vs 2784).

Q: Is the Ryzen Embedded R1600 faster in single-core workloads?

A: No. The A10-7870K also wins single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 176 against 165 (6.7%), and in R23 single-core, it scores 420 against 393 (6.9%).

Q: How do the two chips compare on average benchmark scores?

A: The A10-7870K averages 975, while the R1600 averages 958. Both sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are evenly matched overall.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The A10-7870K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The R1600 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite fewer physical cores, the R1600 matches the A10-7870K’s thread count.

Q: Does the R1600 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the R1600 supports ECC memory. The A10-7870K does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The A10-7870K includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The R1600 has no integrated graphics at all.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification field. The A10-7870K offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while the R1600 offers 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.90 GHz for the A10-7870K and 2.60 GHz for the R1600. Boost clocks are 4.10 GHz and 3.10 GHz, respectively. TDP ratings diverge sharply: 95 W for the A10-7870K, 25 W for the R1600.

Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FM2+ for the A10-7870K, AMD Socket FP5 for the R1600. The architectures are Steamroller (Godaveri) versus Zen (Banded Kestrel). Process nodes are 28 nm versus 14 nm. Transistor counts are 2,411 million versus 3,500 million. Die sizes are 245 mm² versus 148 mm².

Cache configurations differ. The A10-7870K has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2, with no L3. The R1600 has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support moves from DDR3 to DDR4, with bandwidth rising from 34.1 GB/s to 38.4 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the A10-7870K and present on the R1600.

PCIe lane counts drop from 16 on the A10-7870K to 8 on the R1600, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics exist only on the A10-7870K (Radeon R7). The market segment shifts from Desktop to Mobile. Production status moves from End-of-life to Active. Release dates are May 2015 for the A10-7870K and February 2020 for the R1600. The multiplier is unlocked on the A10-7870K and locked on the R1600. Part numbers are also distinct: AD787KXDI44JCAD787KXDJCBOXAD787KXDJCSBX for the A10-7870K, YE1600C4T2OFG for the R1600.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7870K wins every benchmark in the head-to-head set. Its 6.8% to 6.9% margins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both multi-core and single-core variants, make it the clear performance choice in the database. Users running CPU-bound rendering workloads, particularly Cinebench-style multi-threaded tasks, will see a measurable advantage with the A10-7870K. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.90/4.10 GHz) directly drive these wins, and its four physical cores provide an edge in parallel tasks despite matching thread counts.

The A10-7870K also offers integrated Radeon R7 graphics, which is useful for systems that need display output without a discrete GPU. Its unlocked multiplier appeals to users who want to adjust clocks manually, assuming the platform and cooling allow it. With 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, it can support more expansion bandwidth from the CPU.

The Ryzen Embedded R1600, despite losing all five direct matchups, has clear advantages in other areas. Its 25 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 95 W TDP of the A10-7870K, making it suitable for fanless or thermally constrained embedded designs. The 14 nm Zen architecture brings a more modern design with 3,500 million transistors on a smaller 148 mm² die. The shared 4 MB L3 cache provides a memory hierarchy that the A10-7870K lacks entirely. DDR4 support with up to 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, ECC memory capability, and an active production status make the R1600 the choice for new embedded deployments that prioritize reliability, efficiency, and longevity over raw performance.

The R1600 also benefits from a 2020 release date versus 2015 for the A10-7870K, meaning it has years of additional platform maturity behind it. Its mobile market segment designation and FP5 socket are designed for compact, embedded systems rather than desktop towers. For workloads that are latency-sensitive to memory or require ECC for data integrity, the R1600’s architecture is more appropriate, even if it scores lower in Cinebench.

In summary: the A10-7870K wins on benchmark performance and integrated graphics, while the R1600 wins on power efficiency, modern architecture, memory features, and production status. The choice depends entirely on whether the priority is raw compute in a desktop context or embedded system characteristics like low power and ECC support.