AMD A10-7890K vs AMD PRO A10-8770 Comparison

The AMD PRO A10-8770 and AMD A10-7890K are two legacy quad-core desktop APUs that, despite being separated by a platform generation and a socket change, deliver remarkably similar performance in the Cinebench suite. The data shows a clear, though narrow, victory for the PRO A10-8770 across every single benchmark, making it the technically superior part. However, the A10-7890K, with its unlocked multiplier, remains the better choice for users on the FM2+ platform seeking overclocking headroom, provided they can tolerate a higher power draw and are working with DDR3 memory. For anyone building fresh or upgrading, the PRO A10-8770’s lower TDP and modern DDR4 support make it the more sensible pick, even if the performance delta is marginal.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD PRO A10-8770 wins all five head-to-head comparisons against the AMD A10-7890K. The largest advantage is a 1.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the multicore tests consistently show a 1% edge. This translates to a 31-point difference in Cinebench R23 multicore (3040 vs 3009) and a 13-point difference in Cinebench R20 multicore (1276 vs 1263). The PRO A10-8770 also holds a higher average benchmark score of 1046 compared to the A10-7890K’s 1035, placing it at the 29th percentile of all CPUs versus the 28th percentile for the A10-7890K.

Given these margins, the choice hinges on platform and features rather than raw speed. The PRO A10-8770 is the correct pick for users who value efficiency, as its 65W TDP is significantly lower than the A10-7890K’s 95W TDP. It also supports DDR4 memory, which offers higher theoretical bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s). Conversely, the A10-7890K is the only option for those with an FM2+ motherboard, and its unlocked multiplier is a feature absent from the PRO A10-8770, which is locked. The A10-7890K is end-of-life, while the PRO A10-8770 remains active in production, suggesting longer-term availability for the latter. For a new system, the PRO A10-8770 wins; for an existing FM2+ build, the A10-7890K remains a competent, overclockable choice.

Architecture Differences

The two APUs represent distinct architectural generations from AMD. The PRO A10-8770 is built on the Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, while the A10-7890K uses the older Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri. Both are fabricated on a 28nm process at GlobalFoundries, but the die designs differ. The Excavator chip packs 3,100 million transistors onto a 250 mm² die, whereas the Steamroller chip uses 2,411 million transistors on a slightly smaller 245 mm² die. This transistor density difference helps explain how the PRO A10-8770 achieves comparable performance at a much lower clock speed.

Clock speeds tell a similar story. The A10-7890K has a higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, compared to the PRO A10-8770’s 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Despite the 500 MHz disadvantage in base clock, the PRO A10-8770 still manages to edge out its rival in every test, a signal of the efficiency gains of the Excavator architecture. The cache configurations also differ notably: the PRO A10-8770 has a larger L1 cache at 320 KB but a smaller L2 cache at 2 MB, while the A10-7890K has 256 KB of L1 and a much larger 4 MB of L2. Neither processor features L3 cache.

Platform support is a major differentiator. The PRO A10-8770 uses the AMD Socket AM4 and supports DDR4 memory, while the A10-7890K is tied to the older AMD Socket FM2+ and DDR3 memory. Both feature integrated Radeon R7 graphics and support PCIe Gen 3, though the A10-7890K’s PCIe support is limited to 16 lanes for the CPU only. The A10-7890K also comes with an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the PRO A10-8770 is multiplier-locked. The A10-7890K was released in January 2016, while the PRO A10-8770 has no listed release date but remains in active production, contrasting with the A10-7890K’s end-of-life status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite paints a consistent picture of near-identical performance with a slight edge for the PRO A10-8770. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the PRO A10-8770 scores 306 against 303 for the A10-7890K, a 1% difference. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the scores are 1276 and 1263, respectively, again a 1% gap. The single-core tests show a marginally larger spread. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the PRO A10-8770 scores 180 versus 178, a 1.1% lead, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 429 versus 424, a 1.2% advantage.

The most recent test, Cinebench R23 multicore, shows the PRO A10-8770 scoring 3040 against 3009, a 31-point gap that rounds to a 1% difference. Across all five benchmarks, the PRO A10-8770 wins five and the A10-7890K wins zero. However, the absolute deltas are small—never exceeding 13 points in multicore or 5 points in single-core. This indicates that while the Excavator architecture is more efficient, the Steamroller part’s higher clocks nearly compensate for its architectural deficit. The average benchmark scores reflect this closeness, with the PRO A10-8770 at 1046 and the A10-7890K at 1035, a difference of just 11 points.

Looking at the rivals, the PRO A10-8770 is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-6350HQ (0% delta) and the AMD Athlon X4 950 (-0.1% delta), while sitting 0.1% ahead of the AMD PRO A10-9700 and Intel Pentium Gold G5620. The A10-7890K’s nearest rival is the AMD A10-9700, with a 0.1% delta, and it trails the AMD A8-7680 by 0.1% and the Intel Core i7-4558U by 0.3%. These figures show both APUs occupying the same performance stratum as low-end desktop and mobile parts from the same era.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-7890K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the AMD PRO A10-8770 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A10-8770 support overclocking?

A: No, the PRO A10-8770 has a locked multiplier. In contrast, the A10-7890K features an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking.

Q: What is the difference in memory support between the two?

A: The PRO A10-8770 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the A10-7890K supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has a lower power consumption?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8770 has a TDP of 65W, significantly lower than the AMD A10-7890K’s TDP of 95W.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD PRO A10-8770 is listed as active in production, while the AMD A10-7890K is marked as end-of-life.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The PRO A10-8770 scores 3040, which is 1% higher than the A10-7890K’s score of 3009.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A10-8770 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but its victories are narrow, ranging from 1% to 1.2% across the Cinebench tests. Its strengths lie in efficiency and platform modernity. The 65W TDP makes it a better fit for compact or low-power builds, and the DDR4 memory support provides a more future-proof foundation. The data shows it is also marginally faster in single-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 1.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. For users prioritizing a lower power bill or building on the AM4 platform, the PRO A10-8770 is the clear winner. Its active production status also means it is more likely to be available for purchase.

The AMD A10-7890K, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own distinct advantages. Its unlocked multiplier is the single most compelling feature for enthusiasts, as it allows users to push clock speeds beyond the stock 4.30 GHz boost, potentially closing or exceeding the performance gap seen in the stock benchmarks. The larger 4 MB L2 cache could also benefit certain workloads, though the benchmark data does not show a clear advantage in the Cinebench suite. The A10-7890K is the only choice for users with an existing FM2+ motherboard and DDR3 memory, as the PRO A10-8770 requires an AM4 socket and DDR4 modules. For those upgrading an older system without changing the motherboard or RAM, the A10-7890K is the practical pick, even if it consumes 30W more power and trails slightly in stock performance.