CPU Comparison

The AMD A8-7670K and AMD A10-9700E are both 4-core, 4-thread desktop processors from AMD, but they represent two distinct generations and platforms. The A8-7670K is a Steamroller-based part from the Godaveri family, running on the FM2+ socket, while the A10-9700E is an Excavator-based chip from the Bristol Ridge family, designed for the AM4 socket. Benchmark data shows the A10-9700E edges out the A8-7670K in every single test, though the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 0.6% to 0.8%. The A10-9700E also carries a significantly lower TDP of 35 watts compared to the A8-7670K's 95 watts, making it the more power-efficient choice. However, the A8-7670K offers an unlocked multiplier, a feature absent on the A10-9700E, which may appeal to users seeking manual overclocking.

The Verdict

For users prioritizing power efficiency and modern platform compatibility, the AMD A10-9700E is the clear winner. Its 35W TDP is a massive advantage over the A8-7670K's 95W TDP, making it far better suited for compact or low-noise builds. The A10-9700E also wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, including a 0.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core (278 vs 276) and a 0.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (390 vs 387). While these performance deltas are tiny, they are consistent across every workload tested.

The AMD A8-7670K, however, is not without merit. It features an unlocked multiplier, enabling manual overclocking that the A10-9700E cannot offer. Additionally, it supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, double the 8 lanes of the A10-9700E, which could matter for users running multiple expansion cards. The A8-7670K also has a larger L2 cache at 4 MB versus 2 MB on the A10-9700E, though the latter compensates with a larger L1 cache (320 KB vs 256 KB) and higher memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s).

Ultimately, the A10-9700E is the better default recommendation due to its newer architecture, lower power draw, and consistent benchmark wins. The A8-7670K is only preferable for enthusiasts who value the unlocked multiplier and are willing to accept higher power consumption and an older platform.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is significant. The A8-7670K uses AMD's Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. In contrast, the A10-9700E uses the newer Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge, also on a 28 nm process but with a larger 250 mm² die containing 3,100 million transistors. The Excavator design is more advanced, offering better instructions-per-clock efficiency.

Cache configurations differ notably. The A8-7670K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, while the A10-9700E has 320 KB of L1 cache but only 2 MB of L2 cache. Neither processor includes L3 cache. The A10-9700E's smaller L2 is partially offset by its larger L1 and newer core design, which explains its slight benchmark advantage.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The A8-7670K is limited to DDR3 with dual-channel support and a theoretical bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The A10-9700E supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a higher bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This newer memory standard gives the A10-9700E a platform-level advantage, though the benchmark impact appears modest.

Platform features also diverge. The A8-7670K fits the AMD Socket FM2+, while the A10-9700E uses AMD Socket AM4. The A10-9700E's AM4 platform is more modern and offers a clearer upgrade path. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the A8-7670K provides Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, whereas the A10-9700E offers Gen 3 with only 8 CPU lanes. Both chips integrate Radeon R7 graphics, and neither supports ECC memory. Clock speeds favor the A8-7670K, with a base of 3.60 GHz and boost of 3.90 GHz, compared to the A10-9700E's 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Across all five Cinebench tests, the AMD A10-9700E emerges victorious, though by very slim margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10-9700E scores 278 against the A8-7670K's 276, a 0.7% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-9700E scores 1160 versus 1152, again a 0.7% lead.

Single-core performance shows the same trend. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the A10-9700E scores 163 compared to 162 for the A8-7670K, a 0.6% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees the A10-9700E at 2762 versus 2745, a 0.6% margin. The largest relative gap appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the A10-9700E scores 390 against 387, a 0.8% lead.

These numbers indicate that despite the A8-7670K's higher clock speeds (3.90 GHz boost vs 3.50 GHz boost), the Excavator architecture of the A10-9700E delivers better performance per clock. The A10-9700E wins all five head-to-head matchups, giving it a 5-0 record. The A8-7670K, meanwhile, records zero wins.

When considering the broader competitive landscape, both chips sit at the 25th percentile of all CPUs. The A8-7670K's average benchmark score is 944, placing it near the Intel Core i3-1110G4 (945, delta -0.1%) and AMD Athlon X4 860K (943, delta 0.1%). The A10-9700E's average score is 951, which puts it close to the Intel Core i7-5500U (953, delta -0.2%) and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U (947, delta 0.4%). These rival comparisons show that the A10-9700E holds a slight edge over the A8-7670K in overall performance.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD A10-9700E is faster in all multi-core tests. It scores 278 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 276 for the A8-7670K, and 2762 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 2745. The lead is consistent but small, at 0.6-0.7%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD A10-9700E has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD A8-7670K has a TDP of 95 watts. This makes the A10-9700E significantly more power-efficient, using roughly one-third of the power budget.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both the AMD A8-7670K and AMD A10-9700E feature integrated Radeon R7 graphics. Neither processor includes L3 cache.

Q: Which socket does each processor use?

A: The AMD A8-7670K uses the AMD Socket FM2+, while the AMD A10-9700E uses the AMD Socket AM4. The AM4 platform is newer and offers a more modern upgrade path.

Q: Can I overclock either processor?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing manual overclocking. The AMD A10-9700E does not have an unlocked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the same way.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The A8-7670K's average benchmark score of 944 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i3-1110G4 (945) and AMD Athlon X4 860K (943). The A10-9700E's average score of 951 is slightly higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U (947) but lower than the Intel Core i7-5500U (953).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-9700E wins in every benchmark category tested, making it the superior performer across the board. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-core workloads, where it leads by 0.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (390 vs 387). The A10-9700E also wins in multi-core tests, with a 0.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core (278 vs 276) and a 0.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2762 vs 2745). Beyond raw performance, the A10-9700E's 35W TDP makes it the clear winner for power-sensitive builds, HTPCs, or systems with limited cooling. Its DDR4 memory support and newer AM4 platform further solidify its position as the more future-proof option.

The AMD A8-7670K, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, has specific advantages that matter in certain use cases. Its unlocked multiplier is a significant feature for overclocking enthusiasts, allowing users to push clock speeds beyond the stock 3.90 GHz boost. The A8-7670K also offers more PCIe lanes (16 CPU lanes vs 8) and a larger L2 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB), which could benefit users with multiple expansion cards or workloads that are sensitive to cache size. Its higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 3.00 GHz gives it an edge in situations where boost clocks are not sustained, though benchmark results do not reflect this advantage. For users building on the older FM2+ platform or requiring manual overclocking, the A8-7670K remains a viable choice despite its higher power consumption and older architecture.