AMD A10-7890K vs AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B Comparison

# AMD A10-7890K vs AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B

The AMD A10-7890K and AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B are separated by more than just their release dates — the data shows a consistent, though narrow, performance edge for the older desktop part across every Cinebench workload tested. The A10-7890K wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 0.7% to 1.1%. While these deltas are small enough to be considered within run-to-run variance, the fact that the A10 takes every single test points to a slight but real advantage in raw CPU throughput. The Ryzen Embedded part, despite being built on a much newer architecture and having a dramatically lower TDP, never manages to overtake its predecessor in any measured metric. Both processors sit at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores — 1035 for the A10 and 1027 for the V1202B — place them in the same performance class.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest victory for the AMD A10-7890K comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 178 against the V1202B's 176, a delta of 1.1%. This is the only benchmark where the margin exceeds one full percentage point. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10 posts 303 versus 300, a 1% edge. The remaining three tests show even tighter spreads: Cinebench R20 multi-core (1263 vs 1253, 0.8%), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3009 vs 2985, 0.8%), and Cinebench R23 single-core (424 vs 421, 0.7%).

The pattern is remarkably consistent. The A10 leads in every single-core and multi-core test, regardless of the Cinebench version. This suggests the advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general property of the A10's configuration — its higher clock speeds of 4.00 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, compared to the V1202B's 2.30 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost, appear to compensate fully for the architectural generation gap. The Ryzen Embedded part's newer Zen core design and larger transistor count (4,950 million vs 2,411 million) do not translate into a benchmark advantage in these tests.

For context, the A10-7890K's nearest rivals include the AMD A10-9700 (1034 average, 0.1% delta), the AMD A8-7680 (1036, -0.1%), and the AMD A12-9800E (1033, 0.2%). The V1202B's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-5650U (1027, 0% delta), the Intel Core i3-4340 (1026, 0.1%), and the Intel Processor N150 (1025, 0.2%). Neither processor has a rival that is more than 0.3% away, indicating both occupy a tightly packed performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two parts is substantial. The A10-7890K uses the Steamroller architecture (codenamed Godaveri) on a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while the V1202B uses the Zen architecture (codenamed Great Horned Owl) on a 14 nm process, also from GlobalFoundries. The process node shrink from 28 nm to 14 nm is significant, yet the A10's much higher clock speeds negate the IPC gains Zen would typically deliver.

Transistor counts tell a surprising story. The V1202B packs 4,950 million transistors on a die size of 210 mm², while the A10 has just 2,411 million transistors on a larger 245 mm² die. This means the Zen part has more than double the transistor density, reflecting its more modern design. The embedded processor uses that density for its more efficient core design and integrated memory controller for DDR4.

Cache configurations differ in structure. The A10 has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The V1202B has 128 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 2 MB of shared L3 cache. For a two-core part, this translates to 256 KB L1 total and 1 MB L2 total, meaning the A10 actually has more L1 and L2 cache overall, while the V1202B benefits from having any L3 cache at all.

The integrated graphics also differ: the A10 features a Radeon R7 iGPU, while the V1202B uses Radeon Vega 3. The A10 supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the V1202B supports DDR4 in dual-channel, though the FACT PACK lists no bandwidth figure for it. Neither part supports ECC memory, and both have unlocked multipliers — though the A10 is explicitly listed as multiplier unlocked, while the V1202B is not.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7890K wins in every benchmark category measured. Its 4-core, 4-thread configuration gives it a natural advantage in multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, where it leads by 0.8% to 1%. Its higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz also carries it to single-core victories, where it leads by 0.7% to 1.1%.

However, the V1202B wins in areas that matter for system integration and power-sensitive deployments. Its TDP of 15 watts is dramatically lower than the A10's 95 watts — a six-fold difference that makes it suitable for fanless or passively cooled systems, embedded applications, and compact form factors. The V1202B is also an active production part, while the A10 is end-of-life. The newer part supports DDR4 memory, which offers better theoretical efficiency and availability in current systems, and its smaller 210 mm² die size (versus 245 mm²) means lower manufacturing cost per wafer.

The V1202B's Zen architecture with 4,950 million transistors provides a more modern foundation for software that leverages newer instruction sets or security features, even if those don't show up in Cinebench scores. Its 2 MB of shared L3 cache, while modest, is something the A10 lacks entirely and could benefit certain latency-sensitive workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A10-7890K | AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Zen |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 256 KB | 128 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | None | 2 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Radeon Vega 3 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2016-01-10 | 2018-02-20 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher benchmark scores?

A: The AMD A10-7890K wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, with leading margins of 0.7% to 1.1%. Its average benchmark score is 1035, compared to 1027 for the V1202B.

Q: How different are their power requirements?

A: The V1202B has a TDP of 15 watts, while the A10-7890K has a TDP of 95 watts — a six-fold difference that makes the embedded part far more power-efficient.

Q: Do they support the same memory type?

A: No. The A10-7890K supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the V1202B supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, though no bandwidth figure is listed for it.

Q: What are their core and thread counts?

A: The A10-7890K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the V1202B has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite having half the cores, the V1202B's SMT implementation matches the A10's thread count.

Q: Which processor is newer and still in production?

A: The V1202B was released on 2018-02-20 and is listed as active production. The A10-7890K was released on 2016-01-10 and is listed as end-of-life.

Q: How do their cache hierarchies compare?

A: The A10-7890K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The V1202B has 128 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 2 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD A10-7890K is the faster processor in every benchmark measured. It wins all five Cinebench tests — multi-core and single-core alike — with margins between 0.7% and 1.1%. For users whose sole criterion is raw CPU performance in rendering or compute workloads, the A10-7890K is the correct choice. Its 4-core, 4-thread design and clock speeds of 4.00 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost deliver consistent wins against the V1202B's 2-core, 4-thread configuration running at 2.30 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost.

However, the V1202B makes a compelling case for entirely different reasons. Its 15-watt TDP, versus the A10's 95 watts, makes it the only viable option for power-constrained or passively cooled systems. It is an active production part, while the A10 is end-of-life. It supports DDR4 memory, uses a newer 14 nm Zen architecture with 4,950 million transistors, and fits on a smaller 210 mm² die. The V1202B is also more than twice as transistor-dense as the A10, reflecting its modern design.

The choice is not about which is faster — the A10 wins that outright. The choice is about platform priorities. For a desktop user upgrading an FM2+ system or building a machine where maximum Cinebench scores matter and power draw is irrelevant, the A10-7890K delivers. For an embedded designer or system integrator building a compact, low-power device where 15 watts is a hard limit and DDR4 support is required, the V1202B is the only sensible pick. The performance gap is small enough — under 1.1% in all tests — that it will be imperceptible in real-world use. The TDP gap is enormous and will define the use case. Choose the A10 for speed, the V1202B for efficiency and longevity.