CPU Comparison

The AMD A10-7870K holds a consistent, narrow lead over the Intel Core i3-4130 across every benchmark in the data set, yet the two processors land on exactly the same average score and performance percentile. The A10-7870K wins all five head-to-head tests by margins between 4.5% and 4.8%, while the i3-4130 counters with lower power consumption, a smaller process node, and a more recent production status. Neither chip dominates the other outright; the choice depends on whether the workload favors the AMD’s extra physical cores and higher clocks or the Intel’s efficiency and platform features.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD A10-7870K wins every recorded benchmark, but the victories are uniformly modest. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10-7870K scores 299 against the i3-4130’s 285, a 4.7% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD scores 1249 versus 1189, a 4.8% edge. The single-core results tell the same story: Cinebench R20 single-core sees the AMD at 176 and the Intel at 168, a 4.5% gap, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows 420 versus 400, again 4.8% in favor of the AMD. The largest raw delta in the entire comparison is the Cinebench R23 multi-core run, where the A10-7870K’s 2975 beats the i3-4130’s 2833 by 142 points, but that still translates to just a 4.8% difference.

The absence of any Intel win is notable. Across five tests spanning two Cinebench generations and both single- and multi-threaded workloads, the i3-4130 never posts a higher score. However, the consistency of the AMD’s margin, never exceeding 4.8%, suggests the gap is systemic rather than workload-specific. The AMD’s higher base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz, combined with four physical cores, likely explains the edge. The Intel counters with Hyper-Threading, giving it 4 threads from 2 cores, but that does not overcome the AMD’s raw throughput in these render tests.

Both processors share an average benchmark score of 975 and a 26th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The nearest rival list reinforces how close they are: the AMD Athlon X4 840 and Intel Core i3-4150T both also score 975, and the Intel Core i5-5257U scores 976, a 0.1% difference. In practical terms, these two chips are performance twins for synthetic rendering workloads, with the AMD holding a slight edge that would rarely be perceptible outside of timed renders.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is stark. The Intel Core i3-4130 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, while the AMD A10-7870K relies on the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm node from GlobalFoundries. Intel packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die; AMD crams 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The smaller process gives Intel a transistor density advantage, but the AMD’s larger physical footprint accommodates four cores versus Intel’s two.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The i3-4130 offers 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The A10-7870K provides 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. The AMD’s larger L2 pool compensates for the missing L3, but the Intel’s inclusive design with shared L3 may benefit workloads with high inter-core communication. The AMD’s memory bandwidth is explicitly listed at 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel’s is not specified in the data.

Both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the AMD specifies 16 lanes for the CPU only. Integrated graphics differ: Intel ships HD 4400, AMD ships Radeon R7. The AMD’s multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking, while the Intel’s is locked. The AMD has a 95 W TDP against the Intel’s 54 W, a 41 W difference that makes the Intel far easier to cool in compact builds.

Production status separates them further. The Intel Core i3-4130 is listed as Active, while the AMD A10-7870K is End-of-life. Release dates also differ: the Intel launched on 2013-08-31, the AMD on 2015-05-27. The sockets are incompatible, Intel Socket 1150 versus AMD Socket FM2+, meaning platform choice locks in one or the other.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Both the Intel Core i3-4130 and the AMD A10-7870K have an identical average benchmark score of 975, placing them at the 26th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the AMD A10-7870K in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD leads by 4.8% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2975 versus 2833) and by 4.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (299 versus 285).

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4130 win any benchmark in this data set?

A: No. The AMD A10-7870K wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 4.5% to 4.8%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD A10-7870K has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has a 95 W TDP, while the Intel Core i3-4130 has a 54 W TDP.

Q: Can the AMD A10-7870K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the AMD A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i3-4130’s multiplier is locked.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow winner: the AMD A10-7870K outperforms the Intel Core i3-4130 in every benchmark recorded here. The AMD’s 4.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and its 4.5% edge in single-core tests are consistent, but they are not transformative. For users who prioritize raw rendering throughput, the A10-7870K is the better choice, especially given its higher base clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.40 GHz) and four physical cores.

However, the Intel i3-4130 is not without merits. Its 54 W TDP versus the AMD’s 95 W makes it substantially more power-efficient, and its Active production status means it remains available while the AMD is End-of-life. The Intel’s 22 nm process node also suggests better thermal characteristics, though the data does not provide direct temperature figures. For builds where cooling and power draw matter more than a 5% render speedup, the i3-4130 is defensible.

The equal average scores (975 for both) and identical percentile rankings (26th) mean that in aggregate, these CPUs are interchangeable. The verdict hinges on scenario: the AMD wins on performance, the Intel wins on efficiency and longevity. Neither is a bad pick, but the AMD’s benchmark sweep gives it the performance crown.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Intel 2, AMD 4
• Threads: Intel 4, AMD 4 (Intel uses Hyper-Threading, AMD uses physical cores)
• Base Clock: Intel 3.40 GHz, AMD 3.90 GHz
• Boost Clock: Intel none, AMD 4.10 GHz
• TDP: Intel 54 W, AMD 95 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1150, AMD Socket FM2+
• Architecture: Intel Haswell, AMD Steamroller
• Codename: Intel Haswell, AMD Godaveri
• Process Node: Intel 22 nm, AMD 28 nm
• Foundry: Intel, GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: Intel 1,400 million, AMD 2,411 million
• Die Size: Intel 177 mm², AMD 245 mm²
• L1 Cache: Intel 64 KB per core, AMD 256 KB
• L2 Cache: Intel 256 KB per core, AMD 4 MB
• L3 Cache: Intel 3 MB shared, AMD none
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel not specified, AMD 34.1 GB/s
• PCIe: Intel Gen 3, AMD Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4400, AMD Radeon R7
• Production Status: Intel Active, AMD End-of-life
• Release Date: Intel 2013-08-31, AMD 2015-05-27
• Multiplier Unlocked: Intel false, AMD true
• Part Number: Intel SR1NP, AMD AD787KXDI44JCAD787KXDJCBOXAD787KXDJCSBX

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7870K wins in every measured performance category. Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core all favor the AMD by margins between 4.5% and 4.8%. Users running rendering workloads, video encoding, or any multi-threaded application that scales with physical cores will see a small but consistent benefit from the AMD. Its unlocked multiplier and higher clocks also make it the better candidate for overclocking enthusiasts, provided the 95 W TDP is manageable.

The Intel Core i3-4130 wins on efficiency and platform maturity. Its 54 W TDP is 41 W lower than the AMD’s, making it suitable for low-power or small-form-factor builds where heat dissipation is limited. The Intel’s 22 nm process node versus the AMD’s 28 nm suggests better power-per-transistor characteristics, though the data does not quantify this. The Intel’s Active production status means it is still available for purchase, while the AMD is End-of-life, so the Intel is the safer choice for new system assembly or replacements. For users who do not need the AMD’s marginal performance edge and prefer a cooler-running, still-supported chip, the i3-4130 is the practical pick.

In summary, the AMD A10-7870K takes every benchmark but does so by a hair. The Intel Core i3-4130 cedes performance yet offers lower power draw and ongoing availability. The decision rests on whether the 4.8% rendering advantage justifies the higher TDP and end-of-life status.