AMD A10-7870K vs Intel Core i3-4360T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the AMD A10-7870K across every shared benchmark, though the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 299 against 282 for the Intel Core i3-4360T, a 6% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-7870K posts 1249 versus 1175, a 6.3% lead. The single-core results tell a similar story: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD chip wins 176 to 165, a 6.7% edge, and in Cinebench R23 single-core it leads 420 to 395, again by 6.3%.

The largest relative win for the AMD processor is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the delta reaches 6.7%. The smallest margin is the 6% gap in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Across all five head-to-head tests, the A10-7870K wins every round, but the Intel part is never far behind. The data implies that the AMD chip holds a consistent, if modest, performance advantage in these rendering workloads.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the AMD A10-7870K records an average score of 975, while the Intel Core i3-4360T averages 963. That is a difference of roughly 1.2%, which is smaller than the head-to-head deltas suggest. The discrepancy arises because the two CPUs were not subjected to identical test suites in the database. The AMD part includes Geekbench multi-core and single-core results (1225 and 478 respectively), while the Intel part lacks those entries. The Intel chip's average is drawn entirely from the Cinebench family, which may understate its standing relative to the AMD part.

Both processors sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating that they occupy comparable positions in the overall performance distribution. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-4130, AMD Athlon X4 840, and Intel Core i3-4150T, all with an average score of 975 and a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i5-5257U trails slightly at 976 with a -0.1% delta, meaning the AMD part is essentially tied with that mobile chip. The Intel Core i3-4360T, meanwhile, matches the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T at 963, sits 0.1% above the AMD A8-9600 at 962, and trails the Intel Celeron N5100 by 0.4% (966) and the Intel Xeon X5570 by 0.4% (967).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD A10-7870K is built on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, using a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The Intel Core i3-4360T uses the Haswell architecture, also codenamed Haswell, fabricated on Intel's 22 nm process. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The node difference is significant: AMD's 28 nm process is older and less dense than Intel's 22 nm node, yet the AMD chip still manages to field more transistors.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD A10-7870K has four physical cores and four threads, while the Intel Core i3-4360T has two physical cores and four threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. This structural difference explains why the AMD part leads in multi-threaded workloads, though the Intel chip's two cores with four threads keep the gap surprisingly small.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD processor features 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The Intel part allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and adds 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip's L3 cache is a notable advantage for workloads that benefit from a shared pool of fast memory, even if the benchmark data shows the AMD part winning overall.

Memory support is similar: both use DDR3 with dual-channel buses. The AMD A10-7870K lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel Core i3-4360T does not have a bandwidth figure recorded. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs slightly: the AMD part specifies Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the Intel part simply lists Gen 3 without lane details.

Integrated graphics are another point of divergence. The AMD A10-7870K includes a Radeon R7 GPU, while the Intel Core i3-4360T integrates Intel HD 4600. The database records no direct graphics benchmarks for either, so the data cannot quantify the difference, but the product positioning suggests the AMD chip is designed with stronger integrated graphics in mind.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, making it a candidate for overclocking, whereas the Intel Core i3-4360T has a locked multiplier. This is a meaningful feature difference for users who adjust clock speeds. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock at 3.90 GHz with a boost to 4.10 GHz; the Intel part runs at 3.20 GHz with no boost clock recorded. The AMD part's power envelope is 95 W TDP, while the Intel chip draws only 35 W TDP, a dramatic efficiency gap.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD A10-7870K wins every multi-core test in the head-to-head data. It scores 299 versus 282 in Cinebench R15 multi-core (6% ahead), 1249 versus 1175 in Cinebench R20 multi-core (6.3% ahead), and 2975 versus 2799 in Cinebench R23 multi-core (6.3% ahead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4360T win any benchmark?

A: No. Across the five recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel part loses every test. Its closest result is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it trails by only 6%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD A10-7870K leads in both recorded single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 176 against 165, a 6.7% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 420 against 395, a 6.3% margin.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has a TDP of 95 W, while the Intel Core i3-4360T has a TDP of 35 W. The Intel part consumes far less power, which may matter for compact or energy-conscious builds.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the AMD A10-7870K and the Intel Core i3-4360T list ECC memory support as false.

Q: Is either processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the AMD A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i3-4360T does not, as its multiplier is locked.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every major specification. The AMD A10-7870K uses the AMD Socket FM2+ platform, while the Intel Core i3-4360T uses Intel Socket 1150. The AMD chip has four cores and four threads; the Intel chip has two cores and four threads. Base clocks are 3.90 GHz for the AMD part and 3.20 GHz for the Intel part, with the AMD part additionally offering a 4.10 GHz boost clock while the Intel part has none recorded.

Process technology separates them: the AMD chip is built on a 28 nm node at GlobalFoundries, the Intel chip on a 22 nm node at Intel. Transistor counts differ substantially: 2,411 million for AMD versus 1,400 million for Intel. Die sizes are 245 mm² for AMD and 177 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations are not directly comparable. The AMD A10-7870K has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3. The Intel Core i3-4360T has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's L3 cache is absent entirely from the AMD design.

Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the AMD chip at 34.1 GB/s. The Intel part has no bandwidth figure in the database. PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for AMD, while Intel simply lists Gen 3. Integrated graphics are Radeon R7 for AMD and Intel HD 4600 for Intel.

TDP values are starkly different: 95 W for the AMD part versus 35 W for the Intel part. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel processor does not. The AMD part is marked end-of-life in production status, while the Intel part is listed as active. Release dates also differ: the AMD A10-7870K launched on 2015-05-27, and the Intel Core i3-4360T launched earlier on 2014-07-20.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7870K wins in every benchmark category where both processors have recorded scores. That includes multi-core workloads across three Cinebench versions and single-core workloads across two Cinebench versions. The data suggests the AMD chip is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering tasks, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded. Its four physical cores give it a structural edge in multi-threaded applications, and its higher clock speeds, 3.90 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, help in single-threaded scenarios. The unlocked multiplier also opens the door to manual overclocking, which could widen the performance gap further, though the database does not include overclocked results.

The Intel Core i3-4360T wins in power efficiency. Its 35 W TDP is less than half the AMD part's 95 W TDP. For systems where heat output and power draw are primary concerns, the Intel chip is clearly the better fit. The Intel part also has the advantage of an L3 cache, which the AMD chip lacks entirely, though the benchmark data does not isolate the impact of that cache. The Intel part's active production status means it remains available, while the AMD chip is end-of-life.

The integrated graphics comparison cannot be resolved from the recorded data, as no graphics benchmarks exist for either processor. The AMD part's Radeon R7 branding suggests a more capable iGPU, but the database does not quantify it. Similarly, the Intel part's memory bandwidth is unrecorded, so no comparison can be made there.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for raw CPU performance: the AMD A10-7870K is the faster processor in every measured workload. Its wins range from 6% to 6.7% across the five head-to-head Cinebench tests, and it holds a 12-point lead in average benchmark score (975 versus 963). Users who prioritize rendering performance, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, should favor the AMD part. The four-core design and higher clock speeds deliver measurable results, and the unlocked multiplier offers additional headroom for those willing to overclock.

The Intel Core i3-4360T is the better choice for power-sensitive builds. Its 35 W TDP is dramatically lower than the AMD chip's 95 W TDP, making it suitable for small-form-factor systems, HTPCs, or any setup where thermal and power constraints are tight. The Intel part also benefits from a shared L3 cache, which could help in certain workloads even if the Cinebench results do not reflect an overall win. Its active production status is another practical advantage.

Neither processor excels in absolute terms: both sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The choice between them comes down to priorities. If the goal is maximum compute performance in Cinebench-style tasks, the AMD A10-7870K is the data-backed pick. If the goal is minimal power draw and a still-competitive performance level, the Intel Core i3-4360T is the sensible alternative. The benchmark results are unambiguous about the performance hierarchy, but the efficiency gap is equally unambiguous in the other direction.