AMD A10-7890K vs Intel Core i7-5650U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD A10-7890K wins every single head-to-head comparison in this dataset. That is five wins for AMD, zero for Intel. The margin is nearly uniform across all Cinebench tests, hovering at 18.4% in most cases and peaking at 18.7% in one single-core result. This consistency suggests a systemic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the AMD part scoring 303 against Intel's 256, a delta of 18.4%. Moving to the newer Cinebench R20 multicore test, the same pattern repeats: AMD scores 1263, Intel scores 1067, again an 18.4% difference. The R23 multicore test follows suit with AMD at 3009 and Intel at 2542, maintaining that exact 18.4% gap. These three multicore results across different benchmark versions are almost perfectly proportional, indicating that the AMD chip's advantage scales consistently as the workload grows.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD scores 178 versus Intel's 150, a delta of 18.7%. The R23 single-core test shows AMD at 424 and Intel at 358, an 18.4% difference. Interestingly, the AMD part's single-core advantage is essentially identical to its multicore advantage. That is unusual — typically, a processor with more physical cores would show a larger multicore lead. Here, the 4-core AMD chip beats the 2-core Intel chip by the same proportion in both single and multi-threaded tests, suggesting the per-core performance gap is the dominant factor.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the AMD A10-7890K carries an average benchmark score of 1035, while the Intel Core i7-5650U sits at 1027. That is a razor-thin 0.8% difference in aggregate, even though the AMD part wins every Cinebench head-to-head. The Intel chip has additional Geekbench results in its profile — a multicore score of 1854 and a single-core score of 960 — which are not present in the AMD dataset. Those extra data points likely pull Intel's average up, masking the consistent Cinebench deficit.

Both processors land at the 28th percentile among all CPUs. That means neither is a performance leader in absolute terms; they occupy the same tier in the broader CPU landscape. The head-to-head deltas are real but modest — 18% is noticeable but not transformative. The AMD chip is consistently faster, but both are entry-level performers by modern standards.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the AMD A10-7890K is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded here. If the sole criterion is raw Cinebench performance, AMD wins without qualification. The 18.4% lead in multicore tests and 18.4-18.7% lead in single-core tests is consistent and reproducible across three different Cinebench versions.

However, the Intel Core i7-5650U is a mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP, while the AMD part is a desktop chip rated at 95 watts. The Intel chip's efficiency profile is fundamentally different — it is designed for laptops and ultra-portables, whereas the AMD chip is built for desktop sockets. The benchmark results show AMD's performance edge, but the power envelope difference is substantial and should inform any purchasing decision.

For a desktop user who prioritizes Cinebench rendering performance, the AMD A10-7890K is the clear choice from this data. For a mobile user who needs a low-power processor, the Intel part is the only viable option in this comparison — there is no indication the AMD chip can operate in that power class at all. The Intel chip also has a listed launch MSRP of $426, which can be stated once for reference, but no pricing data exists for the AMD part in this dataset.

The verdict is not about which is "better" in an absolute sense — it is about which fits the intended use case. The data shows AMD wins every benchmark, but Intel operates in a completely different power and form-factor segment.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. AMD's A10-7890K uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The die is 245 mm² and contains 2,411 million transistors. Intel's Core i7-5650U uses Broadwell on a 14 nm node, manufactured in-house by Intel. Its die is 133 mm² with 1,900 million transistors.

The process node difference is significant — Intel's 14 nm process is two generations ahead of AMD's 28 nm planar process. Yet the AMD chip still manages to win every benchmark. That speaks to the raw physical advantages of the AMD design: more cores (4 vs 2), higher clock speeds (4.00 GHz base vs 2.20 GHz), and a larger die. Intel's architectural efficiency from the newer process node is not enough to overcome AMD's brute-force approach.

The AMD chip has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part uses a hierarchical cache structure typical of modern x86 designs, while the AMD part relies entirely on its larger L1 and L2 arrangement. Despite the L3 advantage for Intel, AMD still wins in all measured workloads.

Memory bandwidth also favors AMD: 34.1 GB/s versus Intel's 29.9 GB/s. Both support DDR3 in dual-channel mode, but AMD's higher bandwidth figure gives it an edge in memory-intensive tasks. PCIe support differs too — AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). That is a notable difference for anyone planning to use discrete graphics, as the AMD platform has both more lanes and a newer PCIe generation.

The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD pairs the A10-7890K with Radeon R7, while Intel uses HD 6000. No benchmark data is provided for either iGPU, so no performance comparison can be made. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD chip is socketed (FM2+) and replaceable; the Intel chip is BGA 1168, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard and not upgradeable.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every physical and electrical specification. The AMD A10-7890K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5650U has 2 cores and 4 threads — the Intel part uses Hyper-Threading to reach four threads, whereas AMD's four threads come from four physical cores.

Clock speeds diverge sharply. The AMD chip runs at 4.00 GHz base and boosts to 4.30 GHz. The Intel chip runs at 2.20 GHz base and boosts to 3.20 GHz. That is a 1.80 GHz difference at base and a 1.10 GHz difference at boost — a massive gulf that explains much of the performance delta.

TDP is the most striking difference: 95 watts for AMD versus 15 watts for Intel. That is a 6.3x power draw disparity. The AMD chip is a desktop part with power to spare; the Intel chip is a mobile part designed for battery life and thermal constraints. The socket also differs fundamentally: AMD uses Socket FM2+, while Intel uses BGA 1168. The AMD chip is upgradeable and replaceable; the Intel chip is permanently attached to the motherboard.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 34.1 GB/s versus Intel's 29.9 GB/s. Both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC. PCIe capability differs: AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, Intel provides Gen 2 with 12 lanes. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip does not.

Release dates are close: AMD launched on January 10, 2016, while Intel launched on February 28, 2015 — roughly ten months earlier. Both are end-of-life. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $426; no MSRP is listed for the AMD part. The AMD part number is AD789KXDI44JCAD789KXDJCHBX, while Intel's is SR267.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench tests?

A: The AMD A10-7890K wins all five head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks. The margins are 18.4% in R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R23 multicore, and R23 single-core, and 18.7% in R20 single-core.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-5650U win any benchmark in this dataset?

A: No. The dataset records 5 wins for AMD and 0 wins for Intel across all head-to-head comparisons. Intel does have additional Geekbench scores (multicore 1854, singlecore 960) that are not present for the AMD part.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD A10-7890K has an average benchmark score of 1035, while the Intel Core i7-5650U has 1027. That is a difference of 0.8% in AMD's favor. Both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each?

A: The AMD A10-7890K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i7-5650U has 2 cores and 4 threads, using Hyper-Threading to match AMD's thread count.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD A10-7890K is rated at 95 watts TDP, while the Intel Core i7-5650U is rated at 15 watts TDP. That is a 6.3x difference in power consumption.

Q: Is there a price difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-5650U has a launch MSRP of $426. No MSRP is listed for the AMD A10-7890K in this dataset.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7890K wins every benchmark test in this comparison. Its advantages are consistent across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multicore workloads. The 18.4% lead is uniform, which means the AMD chip is not just better at specific tasks — it is better at all measured tasks by roughly the same proportion. This makes it the clear choice for any desktop workload that involves Cinebench-style rendering, which is representative of 3D rendering and CPU-heavy content creation.

The AMD chip's higher clock speeds (4.00 GHz base, 4.30 GHz boost) and four physical cores give it a raw compute advantage that Intel's newer 14 nm process cannot offset. Its higher memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s vs 29.9 GB/s) and PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes make it a better fit for systems with discrete graphics cards. The unlocked multiplier also makes it attractive for overclocking scenarios — the data does not indicate how much headroom exists, but the capability is present.

The Intel Core i7-5650U does not win any benchmark in this dataset, but it wins on efficiency and form factor. Its 15-watt TDP makes it suitable for laptops and fanless designs where the AMD chip's 95-watt requirement would be impossible to cool. The BGA 1168 socket means it is soldered directly to the motherboard, which is typical for ultra-thin notebooks. Its 14 nm process node gives it a transistor density advantage (1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die versus 2,411 million on 245 mm²), which translates to lower power draw per unit of performance.

For a desktop builder with access to an FM2+ motherboard, the AMD A10-7890K is the data-backed winner. For a mobile user who needs a processor that sips power and fits in a thin chassis, the Intel Core i7-5650U is the only option that makes sense — there is no benchmark data suggesting the AMD chip can operate within a 15-watt envelope. The choice is not between two similar products; it is between a desktop workhorse and a mobile efficiency chip, and the data reflects that fundamental difference.