AMD A10 PRO-7850B vs Intel Core i5-3380M Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3380M and AMD A10 PRO-7850B are closely matched in overall benchmark standing, with both landing at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD chip holds a slight lead in average benchmark score (828 vs. 838 for the Intel, a 1.2% difference), but the two split their head-to-head tests exactly one win apiece. The data shows a clear trade-off: the AMD A10 PRO-7850B dominates in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i5-3380M takes the single-thread crown.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only directly comparable benchmark between the two processors is Geekbench, which provides both multi-core and single-core scores. In the multi-core test, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B posts a score of 1194, beating the Intel Core i5-3380M's 1055 by a margin of 11.6%. This is a substantial win, and it aligns with the AMD part's physical advantage: four full cores against the Intel's two cores with Hyper-Threading. The AMD chip's higher base clock of 3.70 GHz (compared to 2.90 GHz) and boost clock of 4.00 GHz (compared to 3.60 GHz) also contribute to this result. For any workload that scales across cores, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the clear choice based on this data.

However, the single-core Geekbench result flips the outcome. The Intel Core i5-3380M scores 505, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B scores 462. This gives the Intel part a 9.3% advantage. This is particularly notable because the AMD chip runs at a higher clock speed, yet still loses. The architectural efficiency of Intel's Ivy Bridge design, built on a 22 nm process, appears to deliver more instructions per clock than AMD's Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm node. For legacy software or lightly-threaded applications that rely on single-thread performance, the Intel Core i5-3380M is demonstrably faster.

Looking at the broader benchmark suite, the Intel Core i5-3380M has results in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 that the AMD A10 PRO-7850B lacks. In Cinebench R23, the Intel chip scores 2504 in multi-core and 353 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 1051 multi-core and 148 single-core. While these numbers cannot be directly compared to the AMD part (which has no such scores in the data), they do give context for the Intel processor's overall capability. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 838 is also higher than the AMD chip's 828, despite losing the Geekbench multi-core test. This suggests that Intel's performance is more consistent across a wider range of test types.

The Verdict

The data points to a split decision based on workload type. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the winner for multi-threaded tasks. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 1194 is a full 11.6% ahead of the Intel part, and that gap is decisive for video encoding, 3D rendering, or any parallel processing task. The AMD chip's four physical cores provide a raw throughput advantage that the Intel's two cores cannot overcome, even with Hyper-Threading.

The Intel Core i5-3380M is the winner for single-threaded and lightly-threaded applications. Its 9.3% lead in Geekbench single-core means it will feel snappier in everyday desktop use, office productivity, and older games that depend on one or two strong cores. The Intel chip also benefits from a lower power envelope, with a 35W TDP versus the AMD's 95W, which is critical for mobile use. However, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is a desktop part, so that power difference is less of a disadvantage in a stationary system.

Users who prioritize multi-core performance for content creation or scientific computing should choose the AMD A10 PRO-7850B. Users who need maximum responsiveness in single-threaded applications or who are constrained by power consumption should choose the Intel Core i5-3380M. The AMD part also offers a stronger integrated GPU (Radeon R7 vs. Intel HD 4000) and a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, though the Intel part compensates with a larger shared L3 cache of 3 MB.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-3380M is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It features 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The chip has a die size of 118 mm² and is designed for the mobile segment, fitting into the Intel Socket G2 (988B). Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a 3 MB shared L3 cache. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000.

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B uses the Steamroller architecture, built on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It is a native quad-core design with 4 threads, running at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The die size is significantly larger at 245 mm², with 2,411 million transistors. It uses the AMD Socket FM2+ and is a desktop part. Its cache structure is different: 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. The integrated graphics are the more powerful Radeon R7. The AMD chip also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core count: the AMD has 4 cores, while the Intel has 2. Both support 4 threads. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B runs at higher clocks, with a 3.70 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, compared to the Intel's 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The TDP also differs drastically, with the AMD at 95W and the Intel at 35W. The process node favors Intel at 22 nm versus AMD's 28 nm. The AMD chip has a larger die (245 mm² vs. 118 mm²) and more transistors (2,411 million vs. not specified). Cache configurations differ: Intel uses per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) with a shared 3 MB L3; AMD uses a flat 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3. The Intel part supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus, while the AMD also supports DDR3 dual-channel but provides a specified memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ (Intel HD 4000 vs. Radeon R7). The sockets are incompatible (Intel Socket G2 vs. AMD Socket FM2+). The market segments differ (Mobile vs. Desktop), and the AMD part is listed as end-of-life, while the Intel's production status is not specified.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core Geekbench score?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B scores 1194, which is 11.6% higher than the Intel Core i5-3380M's 1055.

Q: Which CPU wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3380M wins with a Geekbench single-core score of 505, beating the AMD A10 PRO-7850B's 462 by 9.3%.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3380M has an average benchmark score of 838, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B scores 828. The Intel part is about 1.2% higher.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i5-3380M has 2 physical cores. Both support 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-3380M has a TDP of 35W, which is significantly lower than the AMD A10 PRO-7850B's 95W.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i5-3380M nor the AMD A10 PRO-7850B supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads. Its 11.6% advantage in Geekbench multi-core is the decisive factor. This makes it the better choice for tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, batch photo processing, or any application that can utilize four cores. The AMD chip also has a stronger integrated GPU (Radeon R7) which could provide a better experience for light gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks. Its higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s is another advantage for memory-intensive applications.

The Intel Core i5-3380M is the winner for single-threaded performance and power efficiency. The 9.3% lead in Geekbench single-core makes it the better choice for older software, many games, and general desktop responsiveness. The significantly lower TDP of 35W (vs. 95W) makes it the only sensible choice for laptops or any power-constrained environment. The Intel chip also has a larger L3 cache (3 MB), which can help with frequently accessed data. The Intel part's higher average benchmark score (838 vs. 828) suggests it is more well-rounded across different test types, even though it loses the multi-core head-to-head.

In summary, the choice depends entirely on workload. For raw multi-threaded throughput, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is superior. For single-thread speed and mobile use, the Intel Core i5-3380M is the better option.