CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD A10-7890K wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i3-4340, yet the margins are razor-thin across the board. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 303 against Intel's 300, a 1% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-7890K posts 1263 versus 1252, a 0.9% edge. The single-core results follow the same script: 178 to 176 in R20 single-core (1.1% delta), and 424 to 421 in R23 single-core (0.7% delta). The largest gap anywhere is that 1.1% R20 single-core margin, which is statistically negligible in real-world terms.

What makes these numbers curious is the architectural context. The AMD chip fields four physical cores at a 4.00 GHz base clock and 4.30 GHz boost, while the Intel part offers only two physical cores with Hyper-Threading at 3.60 GHz and no boost clock listed. One would expect the four-core AMD part to dominate multi-threaded workloads by a wider margin, yet the 1% or less deltas suggest that Intel's Haswell architecture extracts far more per-core performance than AMD's Steamroller design. The A10-7890K's win count stands at 5 out of 5 benchmarks, but the average benchmark score tells a slightly different story: AMD averages 1035 points across all tests, while Intel averages 1026, a 0.9% overall lead that aligns with the individual test deltas.

The percentile rankings reinforce this near-parity. Both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy essentially the same performance tier despite their different designs. When placed against their nearest rivals, the AMD A10-7890K sits within 0.3% of chips like the AMD A10-9700 (1034 average, 0.1% delta) and the AMD A8-7680 (1036 average, -0.1% delta). The Intel Core i3-4340 similarly clusters with the Intel Processor N150 (1025 average, 0.1% delta) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B (1027 average, -0.1% delta). These rival clusters show both chips are firmly mid-pack performers, not outliers in either direction.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD A10-7890K uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm process node fabricated by GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core i3-4340 employs the Haswell architecture on Intel's 22 nm process. AMD's chip packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die, whereas Intel fits 1,400 million transistors into a smaller 177 mm² die. That transistor disparity is telling: AMD uses more silicon to achieve roughly the same performance, suggesting less efficient execution per transistor.

Caching strategies diverge sharply. The A10-7890K offers 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The i3-4340 lists 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and crucially, 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's addition of a shared L3 pool likely explains how two physical cores keep pace with four. The AMD design relies on a larger L2 and higher clock speeds to compensate for the missing L3 tier.

Manufacturing and packaging differences extend to sockets and power. AMD uses Socket FM2+, while Intel uses Socket 1150. The A10-7890K carries a 95 W TDP, nearly double the i3-4340's 54 W. Process node advantages favor Intel at 22 nm versus 28 nm, and the Intel die is substantially smaller. Memory support is similar, both handle DDR3 in dual-channel mode, though AMD lists a specific memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s while Intel's figure is not provided in the data.

Integrated graphics differ in branding: AMD pairs the A10-7890K with Radeon R7 graphics, while Intel includes HD 4600. Neither GPU is benchmarked in the provided data, so no performance comparison is possible. The AMD chip offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the Intel part is locked. Release timelines also diverge: the A10-7890K launched in January 2016, while the i3-4340 arrived in August 2013. The AMD part is marked end-of-life, while Intel's production status is not specified.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the AMD A10-7890K is marginally faster in every measured benchmark, but the differences are so small they fall within run-to-run variance. A 0.7% to 1.1% lead across five Cinebench iterations does not translate to a perceptible user experience advantage. Both chips land at the 28th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores differ by less than 1%. Anyone choosing between these two based purely on raw compute performance would be splitting hairs.

The more meaningful differentiators are architectural. The AMD part draws 95 W versus Intel's 54 W, making the i3-4340 the clear efficiency choice. The Intel chip also packs an L3 cache, which historically helps in latency-sensitive workloads. The AMD part offers an unlocked multiplier, appealing to overclockers, and four physical cores that may handle heavily threaded workloads with less scheduling overhead than two cores with Hyper-Threading. The i3-4340's older release date and smaller die suggest a more mature, refined design. For a system builder, the choice comes down to platform preferences, Socket FM2+ versus Socket 1150, and power budgets rather than benchmark deltas.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A10-7890K | Intel Core i3-4340 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | None listed |

| TDP | 95 W | 54 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Haswell |

| Codename | Godaveri | Haswell |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 256 KB | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | None | 4 MB shared |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2016-01-10 | 2013-08-31 |

| Part Number | AD789KXDI44JCAD789KXDJCHBX | SR1NL |

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD A10-7890K wins all 5 head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core i3-4340, with deltas ranging from 0.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 1.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The A10-7890K averages 1035 points across all benchmarks, while the i3-4340 averages 1026 points, a 0.9% difference in favor of AMD.

Q: Do both processors rank at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the AMD A10-7890K and the Intel Core i3-4340 sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD A10-7890K has a 95 W TDP, while the Intel Core i3-4340 is rated at 54 W, making Intel the more power-efficient option.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache configuration?

A: The AMD part offers 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 but no L3, while Intel provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the AMD A10-7890K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i3-4340 does not support multiplier unlocking.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7890K wins every benchmark in this dataset, but the margins are so narrow that its advantages are more theoretical than practical. Its four physical cores and 4.30 GHz boost clock give it a slight edge in multi-threaded Cinebench runs, 303 versus 300 in R15, 1263 versus 1252 in R20, and 3009 versus 2983 in R23. The single-core wins are similarly small: 178 to 176 in R20 and 424 to 421 in R23. The unlocked multiplier makes it the choice for users who plan to overclock, and the Radeon R7 integrated graphics may offer different capabilities than Intel's HD 4600, though no GPU benchmarks are provided to confirm that.

The Intel Core i3-4340's wins are not in raw benchmark scores but in efficiency and design. Its 54 W TDP versus 95 W means significantly lower power draw and heat output. The 22 nm process node and smaller 177 mm² die suggest a more compact, potentially more reliable build. The 4 MB shared L3 cache could benefit workloads that repeatedly access the same data set, even if the Cinebench tests don't reveal it. The older release date (August 2013 versus January 2016) means the platform has had more time to mature, and the locked multiplier is irrelevant for users who don't overclock anyway.

For a use-case split: choose the AMD A10-7890K if you want four physical cores, an unlocked multiplier for tuning, and can tolerate higher power consumption. Choose the Intel Core i3-4340 if you prioritize lower power draw, a smaller die with fewer transistors, and the presence of an L3 cache. The benchmark data alone cannot separate these two meaningfully, both are 28th-percentile parts with sub-1% average score differences, so the decision rests on platform, power, and feature preferences rather than performance deltas.