AMD A10-7890K vs AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U and AMD A10-7890K represent two very different eras of AMD design, separated by process node, architecture, and market segment. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the specifics of where and how each wins are worth examining closely. This analysis relies strictly on the provided benchmark figures and specifications to break down the matchup.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single available head-to-head benchmark paints a stark picture of generational progress. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U scores 658, while the A10-7890K manages only 303. This translates to a delta of 117.2% in favor of the Ryzen part, meaning the mobile chip more than doubles the desktop chip's output in this threaded workload. The magnitude of this win is substantial; it is not a marginal victory but a complete overhaul of multi-threaded performance capability.

This result becomes more significant when considering the context of each chip's overall benchmark profile. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has an average benchmark score of 1041, placing it in the 29th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-4160T, scores 1043, a delta of -0.2%, meaning the Ryzen is essentially tied with that Intel part. The A10-7890K, with an average score of 1035, sits in the 28th percentile, with its closest rival being the AMD A10-9700 at 1034 (a 0.1% delta). While both chips occupy a similar low percentile tier, the Ryzen achieves this status with a much more efficient architecture and far superior multi-core execution.

The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U's other benchmark results reinforce its lead, though no direct comparisons exist for these specific tests. It scores 2567 in Geekbench multi-core and 790 in Geekbench single-core. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 149. The A10-7890K, conversely, shows its age in its available results: 1263 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, 178 in Cinebench R20 single-core, 3009 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 424 in Cinebench R23 single-core. While these are different test versions, the trend is consistent: the Ryzen’s 4-core/8-thread configuration with a high boost clock delivers results that the A10’s 4-core/4-thread setup cannot approach in modern scaling tests.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is the superior processor for almost any task that benefits from multi-threading or modern instruction efficiency. Its 117.2% lead in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test is the definitive metric. The Ryzen also achieves this with a 15W TDP, a fraction of the A10-7890K’s 95W TDP, which is a monumental efficiency advantage. For users running productivity suites, compiling code, or engaging in content creation that leverages multiple cores, the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is the only logical choice based on the data.

The A10-7890K, however, is not without a niche. It is an unlocked multiplier part (the Ryzen is locked), and it has a higher base clock of 4.00 GHz compared to the Ryzen’s 2.30 GHz. For legacy software that relies heavily on a single thread and cannot utilize multiple cores, the higher clock speed could theoretically offer an edge, but the Cinebench R15 single-core scores do not confirm this. The Ryzen scores 149 in that test, while the A10’s single-core results in newer Cinebench versions (178 in R20, 424 in R23) suggest it is not dominant in single-thread performance either. The A10 also has a larger L2 cache (4 MB vs 512 KB per core) and a larger die size (245 mm² vs 210 mm²), but these do not translate into benchmark wins. The verdict is clear: the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is the better chip, and the A10-7890K is best suited for a user with a specific legacy motherboard (Socket FM2+) and a need for an unlocked, overclockable part.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is based on Zen+, codenamed Picasso, and manufactured on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This architecture is designed for high instructions per clock (IPC) and efficient multi-threading, which is reflected in its 4 cores and 8 threads. It integrates Radeon Vega 10 graphics and supports DDR4 memory. The A10-7890K, in contrast, uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, on a 28 nm process, also from GlobalFoundries. Steamroller is an older, module-based design, and the A10 features 4 cores and 4 threads with no simultaneous multi-threading. It integrates Radeon R7 graphics and supports DDR3 memory. The transistor count tells a story of complexity: the Ryzen has 4,940 million transistors in a 210 mm² die, while the A10 has 2,411 million in a larger 245 mm² die, highlighting the higher density and complexity of the newer Zen+ design.

The cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The A10-7890K has a simpler design with 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, but it has no L3 cache at all. This lack of L3 cache on the A10 is a major architectural disadvantage, as the Ryzen can use its shared L3 to reduce memory latency and improve multi-core performance. The memory bandwidth figure for the A10 is listed at 34.1 GB/s, while the Ryzen’s is not provided, but the Ryzen’s support for DDR4 (vs DDR3) suggests a modern bandwidth advantage that is not explicitly quantified here.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets show clear divergence across every major field. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP5, while the A10-7890K is a desktop part on AMD Socket FM2+. The Ryzen has 8 threads versus the A10’s 4 threads. Clock speeds differ: the Ryzen has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost of 4.00 GHz, while the A10 has a base of 4.00 GHz and a boost of 4.30 GHz. The TDP is a massive difference: 15W for the Ryzen versus 95W for the A10. Process node is 12 nm for the Ryzen and 28 nm for the A10. Memory support is DDR4 for the Ryzen and DDR3 for the A10.

The integrated graphics are also different, with the Ryzen using Radeon Vega 10 and the A10 using Radeon R7. The Ryzen’s PCIe is listed as "Gen 3," while the A10’s is "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)." The multiplier is locked on the Ryzen and unlocked on the A10. The Ryzen is marked as "Active" in production, while the A10 is "End-of-life." The release dates differ: the Ryzen was released on 2019-04-07, and the A10 on 2016-01-10. The part numbers are also distinct (YM370BC4T4MFG for the Ryzen, AD789KXDI44JCAD789KXDJCHBX for the A10). Neither has a launch MSRP listed.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is significantly faster. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, it scores 658 versus the A10-7890K’s 303, a 117.2% advantage.

Q: Does the A10-7890K have any performance advantages?

A: Based on the data, no. While it has a higher base clock (4.00 GHz vs 2.30 GHz) and an unlocked multiplier, it does not win any head-to-head benchmark. Its single-core scores in newer Cinebench versions (178 in R20, 424 in R23) do not indicate a lead over the Ryzen’s older R15 score of 149.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has a TDP of 15W, while the A10-7890K has a TDP of 95W. This indicates the Ryzen is vastly more power-efficient.

Q: Can I use the same motherboard for both CPUs?

A: No. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U uses AMD Socket FP5, while the A10-7890K uses AMD Socket FM2+. They are incompatible.

Q: Which chip has better memory support?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U supports DDR4 memory, while the A10-7890K supports DDR3. The A10 has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, but the Ryzen’s bandwidth is not specified.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is listed as "Active" in production. The AMD A10-7890K is listed as "End-of-life."

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U wins in virtually every measurable performance category. Its 117.2% lead in multi-core Cinebench R15 is the headline, but its overall architecture with 8 threads, L3 cache, and a modern 12 nm process makes it the winner for any modern workload. Its higher average benchmark score (1041 vs 1035) and better percentile ranking (29th vs 28th) confirm this. The Ryzen is also the only viable choice for a mobile system, given its 15W TDP and FP5 socket. It is the clear winner for productivity, multitasking, and any application that can use more than four threads.

The AMD A10-7890K wins in a narrower set of scenarios, primarily defined by its platform and legacy features. As a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, it is the only choice for a user who specifically wants to overclock on the FM2+ platform. Its higher base clock of 4.00 GHz could theoretically be an advantage in extremely old, single-threaded software that does not respond well to boost clocking, but the benchmark data does not support a definitive win here. It also has a larger L2 cache (4 MB vs 512 KB per core) and a larger physical die, which are irrelevant to performance in this comparison. For a system builder with an existing FM2+ motherboard and DDR3 memory, the A10-7890K is the only compatible option. For everyone else, the data points unequivocally to the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U.