AMD A10-9700E vs Intel Core i7-4600U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and decisive advantage for the AMD A10-9700E across every single benchmark test in the head-to-head comparison. The Intel Core i7-4600U does not record a single win, with the AMD part taking all five tests.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD A10-9700E scores 278 against the Intel Core i7-4600U's 232. That is a 16.5% deficit for the Intel part. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the AMD chip scores 1160 versus 968 for the Intel, again a 16.6% gap. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the same trend: AMD scores 2762, Intel scores 2306, a 16.5% difference.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD A10-9700E posts 163 against the Intel's 136, a 16.6% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD scores 390 versus 325, a 16.7% advantage. These are not marginal differences; they are uniform and repeatable across every workload in the comparison set.

Looking at the broader database context, both CPUs sit at the 25th percentile of all recorded processors. The AMD A10-9700E has an average benchmark score of 951, while the Intel Core i7-4600U averages 931. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-5500U at 953 (0.2% ahead of the AMD) and the Intel Xeon W3570 at 955 (0.4% ahead). The Intel Core i7-4600U, by contrast, sits just 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-870 and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Celeron G6900TE. In short, the AMD part is not only faster in every direct comparison, it also occupies a slightly higher position in the overall performance distribution, though both are in the same percentile band.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The Intel Core i7-4600U is a Haswell-ULT part built on a 22 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 1,300 million transistors into a 118 mm² die. The AMD A10-9700E, based on the Excavator architecture with the Bristol Ridge codename, uses a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die.

Core counts differ sharply. The Intel part has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, enabling Hyper-Threading style parallelism. The AMD part has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, no simultaneous multithreading. The AMD therefore relies on raw core count, while the Intel tries to extract more work from fewer cores.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Intel Core i7-4600U has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD A10-9700E has 320 KB L1 total and 2 MB L2 total, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel's larger L3 could help with frequently accessed shared data, but the recorded benchmark scores show the AMD's architecture wins in practice.

Memory support is another clear divergence. The Intel part supports DDR3 memory. The AMD part supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a stated memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD's memory subsystem is both newer and faster on paper.

Clock speeds go in different directions. The Intel has a 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The AMD has a 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The AMD runs at higher clocks across the board, which helps explain its consistent benchmark lead despite the Intel's more advanced process node.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel ships the HD 5000 iGPU, while AMD ships the Radeon R7. The AMD also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), where the Intel's PCIe specification is not recorded.

Market positioning is distinct: the Intel is a 15W mobile part for BGA 1168 sockets, while the AMD is a 35W desktop part for Socket AM4. That TDP difference is substantial, but so are the benchmark results.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD A10-9700E wins every multi-threaded test. It scores 278 versus 232 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 1160 versus 968 in R20 multicore, and 2762 versus 2306 in R23 multicore. Each win is approximately 16.5% ahead.

Q: Does the Intel have a single-core advantage?

A: No. The AMD A10-9700E wins both single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 163 versus 136, and in R23 single-core, it scores 390 versus 325. The Intel is 16.6% and 16.7% behind, respectively.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD A10-9700E has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD has twice the physical core count, while the Intel uses simultaneous multithreading to reach the same thread count.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each?

A: The Intel has a TDP of 15 watts. The AMD has a TDP of 35 watts. The Intel consumes less power by design, consistent with its mobile segment, while the AMD is a desktop part with higher power allowance.

Q: Do they support the same memory type?

A: No. The Intel supports DDR3 memory. The AMD supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD also has a recorded memory bus, while the Intel's memory bus and bandwidth are not listed.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD has an average score of 951, while the Intel has an average of 931. The AMD is also among its nearest rivals, the Intel Core i7-5500U at 953 and the Intel Xeon W3570 at 955.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD A10-9700E wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with a consistent delta of approximately 16.5% in each test. The AMD also has a higher average benchmark score (951 versus 931) and superior memory support (DDR4 with dual-channel). The Intel Core i7-4600U's only recorded advantages are its lower TDP (15W versus 35W) and its smaller process node (22nm versus 28nm), but neither translates into a performance win in the recorded data.

For multi-threaded applications, the AMD's four physical cores beat the Intel's two cores with four threads in every Cinebench test. For single-threaded applications, the AMD's higher boost clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz) carries the day. The Intel's larger L3 cache (4 MB shared) does not help it overcome the AMD's advantages.

Who should pick the AMD? Anyone who needs raw processor performance per the database's metrics. The AMD is faster across the board, has more cores and higher clocks, and comes from a desktop platform. It also has a recorded active production status.

Who should pick the Intel? Users constrained by power consumption, the 15W TDP is less than half the AMD's 35W. The Intel also has a smaller die size and transistor count that suggests higher efficiency per transistor, but the efficiency does not show up in benchmark performance. The Intel is a mobile part for BGA 1168, which means it is the only choice for systems designed around that socket.

The data does not support any scenario where the Intel wins on raw speed: it loses every recorded benchmark. The AMD A10-9700E is the superior performer, and the only reason to prefer the Intel is its much lower power draw and mobile platform compatibility.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-4600U | AMD A10-9700E |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Excavator |

| Codename | Haswell-ULT | Bristol Ridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,300 million | 3,100 million |

| Die Size | 118 mm² | 250 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 320 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | None |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Not listed | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5000 | Radeon R7 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Not listed | Active |

| Part Number | Not listed | AD9700AHM44AB |