CPU Comparison

Launched in early 2016 for the FM2+ platform, the AMD A10-7890K is the last high-water mark for the Steamroller architecture. A year and a half later, the AMD A10-9700 arrived on the AM4 socket, representing the Excavator core in the Bristol Ridge family. On paper, these two quad-core parts look nearly identical in throughput, and the benchmark data confirms that. However, the underlying platform, memory support, and power characteristics tell a more nuanced story. The data shows these are two of the closest-matched processors in the database, separated by a mere 0.1% in average benchmark score.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent across the board, with the A10-7890K taking a narrow win in every single test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10-7890K scores 303 against the A10-9700's 302, a delta of just 0.3%. That is a single point difference, which is effectively a statistical tie. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-7890K posts 1263 versus 1261 for the A10-9700, a 0.2% margin. The A10-7890K also wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 3009 versus 3004, another 0.2% advantage.

Single-core performance is where the two parts are truly indistinguishable. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both chips score exactly 178. In Cinebench R23 single-core, both score exactly 424. The head-to-head data records these as wins for the A10-7890K, but the delta is zero; the results are identical. This is a rare case where two distinct processor models, from different generations and on different sockets, produce identical single-threaded scores.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the A10-7890K averages 1035, while the A10-9700 averages 1034. The nearest rivals list confirms this closeness: the A10-7890K is 0.1% ahead of the A10-9700, while the A10-9700 is 0.1% behind the A10-7890K. For context, the A10-7890K is also 0.2% ahead of the AMD A12-9800E and 0.1% behind the AMD A8-7680. The A10-9700, meanwhile, sits 0.1% ahead of the A12-9800E and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Pentium G4560. Both chips land at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same performance tier relative to the broader market. The wins total is 5 for the A10-7890K and 0 for the A10-9700, but those wins are measured in fractions of a percent.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD A10-7890K wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 303 versus 302 in Cinebench R15, 1263 versus 1261 in Cinebench R20, and 3009 versus 3004 in Cinebench R23. The margins are 0.3% or less.

Q: Is there any difference in single-core performance?

A: No. Both processors score exactly 178 in Cinebench R20 single-core and exactly 424 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The head-to-head data lists the A10-7890K as the winner, but the delta is 0%.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The A10-7890K's average score of 1035 puts it 0.1% ahead of the A10-9700 and 0.1% behind the AMD A8-7680. The A10-9700's average of 1034 puts it 0.3% ahead of the Intel Pentium G4560 and 0.2% behind the AMD A8-7680.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The A10-7890K supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The A10-9700 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, with a higher bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The A10-7890K has an unlocked multiplier, while the A10-9700 does not. This is a significant difference for users who intend to tune their systems.

Q: What is the power draw difference between the two?

A: The A10-7890K has a TDP of 95 watts, while the A10-9700 has a TDP of 65 watts. The A10-9700 is the more power-efficient part on paper.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 28 nm process node at GlobalFoundries, but they use different architecture families. The A10-7890K uses the Steamroller architecture, with the codename Godaveri. The A10-9700 uses the Excavator architecture, with the codename Bristol Ridge. This generational shift is the primary reason for the different transistor counts: the A10-7890K integrates 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, while the A10-9700 packs 3,100 million transistors on a slightly larger 250 mm² die. The Excavator design adds more transistors without a corresponding increase in performance, which explains the near-identical benchmark results.

Cache configurations differ notably. The A10-7890K has a smaller L1 cache at 256 KB but a larger L2 cache at 4 MB. The A10-9700 flips that, offering 320 KB of L1 cache but only 2 MB of L2 cache. Neither chip has any L3 cache. The larger L2 cache on the A10-7890K may help in certain workloads, but the benchmark data indicates that the overall effect on Cinebench scores is minimal.

The memory controller is another point of divergence. The A10-7890K is paired with DDR3 memory, while the A10-9700 moves to DDR4. The A10-9700's DDR4 support yields a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s compared to 34.1 GB/s for the A10-7890K. Despite this 12.6% bandwidth advantage, the A10-9700 still loses the multi-core tests, suggesting that Cinebench workloads are not memory-bandwidth-bound in this comparison.

PCIe lane allocation also differs. The A10-7890K provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the A10-9700 provides only 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This is a meaningful difference for users with high-bandwidth expansion cards, though it does not impact CPU compute benchmarks. Both chips integrate the same Radeon R7 graphics core, so the iGPU experience is nominally identical.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is the socket. The A10-7890K uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the A10-9700 uses AMD Socket AM4. This alone dictates platform choice, as the two are not interchangeable.

Clock speeds favor the A10-7890K. It runs at a 4.00 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.30 GHz. The A10-9700 is slower on paper, with a 3.50 GHz base clock and a 3.80 GHz boost clock. That 500 MHz base-clock advantage helps the A10-7890K edge out the win in every benchmark, even if the margin is small.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The A10-7890K is rated at 95 watts TDP, while the A10-9700 is rated at 65 watts TDP. A 30-watt difference is substantial for system builders concerned about cooling and power supply requirements. The A10-7890K also offers an unlocked multiplier, whereas the A10-9700 is locked, limiting overclocking potential on the newer part.

Memory support differs as noted: DDR3 for the A10-7890K, DDR4 for the A10-9700. The A10-9700's memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s is higher than the A10-7890K's 34.1 GB/s. Neither chip supports ECC memory. The release dates are also different, with the A10-7890K arriving in January 2016 and the A10-9700 in July 2017, but both are end-of-life products now.

Where Each One Wins

The A10-7890K wins on raw compute performance, even if the margin is razor-thin. It takes all five head-to-head benchmark wins, including the multi-core tests where its higher clock speeds overcome the A10-9700's architectural improvements. Users who prioritize maximum Cinebench scores and do not care about platform modernity will find the A10-7890K the better choice. Its 4.30 GHz boost clock is the highest of the two, and the unlocked multiplier offers headroom for enthusiasts. The larger 4 MB L2 cache is also a theoretical advantage for workloads that fit within it.

The A10-9700 wins on efficiency and platform longevity. Its 65-watt TDP is 30 watts lower than the A10-7890K, making it the better option for compact or low-power builds. The AM4 socket is a more modern platform, supporting DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth. The 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are fewer than the A10-7890K's 16, but the AM4 ecosystem offers a clearer upgrade path to newer processors. For users building a new system today, the A10-9700's platform advantages outweigh its marginal performance deficit.

In terms of single-core performance, there is no winner; both chips produce identical scores of 178 in R20 and 424 in R23. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the A10-7890K at 1035 and the A10-9700 at 1034. Both sit at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, meaning neither is a performance standout in the broader market. The choice between them comes down to whether the user values the A10-7890K's slight speed and overclocking freedom or the A10-9700's lower power draw and more modern platform support.