AMD A10 PRO-7800B vs Intel Core i3-5020U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive performance advantage for the Intel Core i3-5020U in the two shared benchmark tests. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel part scores 1379 against 1055 for the AMD A10 PRO-7800B, a 30.7% lead. This is a substantial margin, indicating that despite having only 2 physical cores and 4 threads versus the AMD's 4 cores and 4 threads, the Intel processor's architecture delivers better raw multi-threaded throughput in this workload.

The single-core result is even more lopsided. The Intel Core i3-5020U posts 696 points in Geekbench single-core, while the AMD A10 PRO-7800B manages only 436. That translates to a 59.6% advantage for Intel. This gap highlights a fundamental difference in per-thread efficiency between the two designs. The Intel chip's higher instructions-per-clock, enabled by its newer architecture, allows it to crush the AMD part in lightly threaded tasks, which remain common in everyday computing.

Looking at broader database averages, the Intel Core i3-5020U holds an average benchmark score of 757, while the AMD A10 PRO-7800B trails at 746. The delta is small, only about 1.5%, but it reinforces the pattern seen in the head-to-head tests. The Intel processor's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5450 (average score 756, delta 0.1%), Intel Core i5-3210M (758, delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-4250U (756, delta 0.2%), and Intel Core i5-3230M (754, delta 0.3%). All of these sit within a fraction of a percent of the i3-5020U, placing it in a tightly contested performance tier.

The AMD A10 PRO-7800B's nearest rivals are similarly close. The Intel Core i5-4200U matches it exactly at 746 (delta 0%), the AMD FX-9800P scores 745 (delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i5-750 scores 747 (delta -0.2%), and the Intel Xeon E5520 scores 742 (delta 0.6%). This cluster around the 745 to 747 range shows that the AMD part is competitive with older mainstream Intel mobile and desktop chips, but it cannot match the newer Intel architecture in the tests where both were measured.

The Cinebench results, available only for the Intel Core i3-5020U, provide additional context for its performance profile. It scores 188 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 787 in Cinebench R20 multicore, 110 in Cinebench R20 single-core, 1876 in Cinebench R23 multicore, and 264 in Cinebench R23 single-core. These numbers, combined with the Geekbench results, paint a picture of a low-power processor that performs respectably for its class, though it is far from a high-end part. Its percentile ranking against all CPUs sits at 20, as does the AMD's, meaning both processors land in the lower fifth of the database's performance distribution.

The win tally in the head-to-head comparisons is 2 for the Intel Core i3-5020U and 0 for the AMD A10 PRO-7800B. Every shared benchmark favors Intel, and often by a wide margin. The data does not show a single test where the AMD chip comes out ahead.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Core i3-5020U is the stronger processor in every measured benchmark. It wins both Geekbench tests, with a 30.7% multicore advantage and a 59.6% single-core advantage. For anyone choosing between these two based strictly on CPU performance, the Intel part is the obvious pick.

The AMD A10 PRO-7800B does have a higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, but this does not translate into benchmark wins. The Intel chip's architecture compensates for its lower clock speed through superior efficiency. The Intel part also draws far less power, with a TDP of 15 watts against the AMD's 65 watts, making it a more attractive option for thermally constrained systems.

However, the AMD chip is not without its merits. It offers 4 physical cores versus Intel's 2, and it integrates a Radeon R7 graphics solution, which may provide better iGPU performance than Intel's HD 5500, though no direct graphics benchmarks are in the database. The AMD part also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip is limited to Gen 2 with 12 lanes. For users planning to use a discrete GPU, the AMD platform's newer PCIe standard could be relevant. The AMD chip also has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for Intel, and it carries more transistors (2,411 million versus 1,300 million) on a larger die (245 mm² versus 82 mm²).

Still, from a pure CPU benchmark perspective, the Intel Core i3-5020U wins decisively. The recommendation is straightforward: if CPU performance in the tested workloads is the priority, choose Intel. If the platform's other characteristics, such as the integrated GPU or PCIe generation, matter more, the AMD part may still justify consideration, but the data does not support choosing it for raw compute performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-5020U wins in every category where both processors were measured: single-core performance and multi-core performance. The single-core win is particularly pronounced at 59.6%, making it the stronger choice for tasks that rely on one or two threads, such as basic office work, web browsing, and legacy software that does not scale across many cores. The multi-core win, while smaller at 30.7%, still gives Intel the edge in lightly threaded productivity workloads and even some multi-threaded scenarios, despite the AMD chip having double the physical core count.

The AMD A10 PRO-7800B does not win any benchmark in the database, but its characteristics suggest where it might be preferable in a system context. Its 4 physical cores could theoretically benefit workloads that scale perfectly across cores and are not limited by per-thread efficiency, though the Geekbench multicore result contradicts this expectation. The AMD chip's integrated Radeon R7 graphics may offer better integrated graphics performance than the Intel HD 5500, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded. Its PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes is a forward-looking advantage for systems using modern discrete graphics cards, and its higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s could benefit memory-intensive applications.

The Intel chip's 15-watt TDP makes it the clear winner for fanless or passively cooled designs, thin laptops, and any system where power draw and heat output are primary concerns. The AMD chip, at 65 watts, requires more substantial cooling and power delivery, which limits its suitability for mobile or compact form factors. The Intel chip's smaller die size (82 mm² versus 245 mm²) and lower transistor count (1,300 million versus 2,411 million) also suggest lower manufacturing costs and power consumption, though pricing data is not available for the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U is significantly faster, scoring 696 in Geekbench single-core versus 436 for the AMD A10 PRO-7800B, a 59.6% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD A10 PRO-7800B win in any benchmark?

A: No. In the two head-to-head tests recorded (Geekbench multicore and Geekbench single-core), the Intel Core i3-5020U wins both. The win tally is 2 for Intel and 0 for AMD.

Q: How does the core count differ between the two processors?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7800B has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-5020U has 2 physical cores and 4 threads. Despite the AMD chip's higher core count, it loses in multi-core performance.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the AMD A10 PRO-7800B has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel chip consumes significantly less power.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 3?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7800B supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Intel Core i3-5020U is limited to PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-5020U has an average benchmark score of 757, and the AMD A10 PRO-7800B has an average of 746. Both rank at the 20th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-5020U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-U, using a 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It integrates 1,300 million transistors on a die size of 82 mm². The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This architecture prioritizes efficiency and per-thread performance, which is reflected in its strong single-core benchmark results despite a modest base clock of 2.20 GHz and no boost clock.

The AMD A10 PRO-7800B uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, fabricated on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,411 million transistors onto a much larger die of 245 mm². The cache layout is different: 256 KB of L1 (shared across all cores) and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. The AMD chip's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.90 GHz are intended to compensate for the architecture's lower instructions-per-clock, but the benchmark data shows this strategy falls short against Intel's newer design.

The memory subsystems differ as well, though both support DDR3 with dual-channel buses. The AMD chip has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel chip is rated at 25.6 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The PCIe implementation also differs: AMD uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while Intel uses Gen 2 with 12 lanes. The integrated graphics solutions are the Intel HD 5500 for the i3-5020U and the Radeon R7 for the A10 PRO-7800B, though no graphics benchmarks are available in the data.

The market segments reflect their intended use cases: the Intel chip is a mobile part, while the AMD chip is a desktop part. Both are end-of-life products. The Intel chip was released in early 2015, and the AMD chip in mid-2014. The manufacturing process difference (14 nm versus 28 nm) largely explains the Intel chip's superior efficiency and smaller die, which are critical advantages in mobile and compact desktop environments.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core i3-5020U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD A10 PRO-7800B has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel base clock is 2.20 GHz with no boost clock available; the AMD base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The TDP difference is stark: 15 watts for Intel versus 65 watts for AMD.

The sockets are incompatible: the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1168, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FM2+. The process nodes differ, with Intel at 14 nm and AMD at 28 nm. The transistor counts are 1,300 million for Intel and 2,411 million for AMD, with die sizes of 82 mm² and 245 mm² respectively. The cache configurations are also different: Intel has per-core L1 and L2 caches (64 KB and 256 KB per core) plus 3 MB of shared L3, while AMD has a shared 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3 cache.

Memory bandwidth ratings differ at 25.6 GB/s for Intel and 34.1 GB/s for AMD, though both support DDR3 and dual-channel operation. The PCIe versions are Gen 2 with 12 lanes for Intel and Gen 3 with 16 lanes for AMD. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 5500 versus Radeon R7. The market segments are Mobile for Intel and Desktop for AMD. The launch MSRP for the Intel chip is $281; no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD chip. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as end-of-life in the database. The part numbers are SR240 for Intel and AD780BYBI44JA for AMD.