AMD A10 PRO-7850B vs Intel Core i7-5550U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for this comparison is limited by the available benchmark suites. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has results in Geekbench multicore and singlecore tests, scoring 1194 and 462 respectively. The Intel Core i7-5550U, on the other hand, has results exclusively from Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with scores of 238, 992, 139, 2363, and 333 across those tests. Because the two processors were measured under different benchmark workloads, a direct head-to-head score comparison is not possible from the database.

The absence of overlapping tests means the wins column shows zero for both parts. This is not a statement of equivalence; it simply reflects that no shared test exists in the recorded measurements. The average benchmark scores do provide a rough cross-processor signal. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B averages 828 points across its two Geekbench results, while the Intel Core i7-5550U averages 813 points across its five Cinebench results. That difference, 1.8% in favor of the AMD part, is small and well within the noise of different test generations.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each processor clarifies their standing. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core i5-3360M, the AMD PRO A10-8750B, the Intel Xeon E5540, and the Intel Xeon X3450. Its average score is 0.8% below the i5-3360M and 1.1% below the Xeon X3450, while being 0.9% above the PRO A10-8750B and the Xeon E5540. This places it in a tight cluster where no rival is more than a couple of points away.

The Intel Core i7-5550U is similarly clustered. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 with a delta of 0%, the Intel Xeon X3440 at -0.2%, the Intel Core i5-L16G7 at -0.4%, and the AMD A10-6800K at +0.5%. The i7-5550U is effectively dead even with the Core 2 Extreme QX9775, and it trails the Xeon X3440 and i5-L16G7 by fractions of a percent while leading the A10-6800K by half a percent. Both processors occupy the 22nd percentile among all CPUs, which means they are in the lower quarter of the performance distribution but not at the very bottom.

The Geekbench singlecore score of 462 for the AMD part is the only single-threaded measurement in the entire dataset. Comparing it to the i7-5550U's Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 333 is not apples-to-apples, but it does show that the AMD processor has a recorded single-thread result that is higher in absolute terms. The i7-5550U's singlecore result of 333 in Cinebench R23 is a different metric, so no percentage delta can be computed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B records an average benchmark score of 828, which is 15 points higher than the Intel Core i7-5550U's 813. This represents a 1.8% advantage for the AMD part, though the two averages come from different benchmark suites.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where both processors were measured?

A: No. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has only Geekbench multicore and singlecore results, while the Intel Core i7-5550U has only Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 results. There is no overlap, so the head-to-head wins column is empty for both.

Q: How do these processors compare to their closest rivals?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is within 1.1% of four rivals, trailing the Intel Core i5-3360M by 0.8% and the Intel Xeon X3450 by 1.1%, while leading the AMD PRO A10-8750B and Intel Xeon E5540 by 0.9% each. The Intel Core i7-5550U is dead even with the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775, trails the Intel Xeon X3440 by 0.2% and the Intel Core i5-L16G7 by 0.4%, and leads the AMD A10-6800K by 0.5%.

Q: What percentile do these processors rank in?

A: Both the AMD A10 PRO-7850B and the Intel Core i7-5550U are at the 22nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. This means they outperform roughly 22% of all recorded processors.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-5550U have any advantage in threaded workloads based on Cinebench results?

A: The i7-5550U records a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2363 and a Cinebench R20 multicore score of 992. Without an equivalent AMD Cinebench result, these numbers cannot be directly compared, but they do show the Intel part has consistent multicore performance across two generations of the Cinebench test.

Q: Which processor has a higher singlecore Geekbench score?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B records a Geekbench singlecore score of 462. The Intel Core i7-5550U has no Geekbench result, so no direct comparison is possible.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, there is no head-to-head test that determines a winner. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B and Intel Core i7-5550U each have their own benchmark suites, and neither overlaps the other. The average benchmark score slightly favors the AMD part, 828 versus 813, but that gap is small and derived from different workloads.

For users who rely on Geekbench as their reference, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the only one of the two with data in that suite. Its multicore score of 1194 and singlecore score of 462 are the only available numbers. For users who rely on Cinebench, the Intel Core i7-5550U is the only one with data, showing a multicore R23 score of 2363 and a singlecore R23 score of 333.

Neither processor is a clear performance leader based on the database. Both sit at the 22nd percentile, indicating they are comparable in overall standing. The choice between them, based strictly on the data, comes down to which benchmark suite the user considers more relevant. If Geekbench is the standard, the AMD part is the only option with measurements. If Cinebench is the standard, the Intel part is the only option with measurements. The data does not support a claim that one is faster than the other.

The Intel Core i7-5550U does carry a launch MSRP of $426, which is the only pricing information in the database. The AMD part has no recorded launch price.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every physical and electrical specification. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5550U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, whereas the Intel part has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The TDP is dramatically different: 95 watts for the AMD part versus 15 watts for the Intel part.

The sockets are incompatible. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1168. The AMD processor is a desktop part, while the Intel processor is a mobile part. Both are end-of-life products.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B includes Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel Core i7-5550U includes Intel HD 6000 graphics. The PCIe support differs: the AMD part supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part supports PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only).

Memory support is similar in type and channel configuration, with both using DDR3 and dual-channel buses. The memory bandwidth differs, with the AMD part recording 34.1 GB/s and the Intel part recording 29.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

The release dates are different. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B was released on 2014-07-30, while the Intel Core i7-5550U was released on 2015-02-28. The part numbers are AD785BXBI44JA for the AMD and SR26A for the Intel. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is built on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, manufactured on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It uses 2,411 million transistors on a die size of 245 mm². The Intel Core i7-5550U is built on the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell-U, manufactured on a 14 nm process by Intel. It uses 1,900 million transistors on a die size of 133 mm².

Cache layouts are fundamentally different. The AMD part has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel design uses a shared L3, while the AMD design relies entirely on L2.

The transistor count is higher on the AMD part, 2,411 million versus 1,900 million, but the Intel part achieves this on a smaller die, 133 mm² versus 245 mm². The process node advantage goes to Intel at 14 nm versus 28 nm, which explains the significant TDP difference: 15 watts for the Intel part versus 95 watts for the AMD part.

The generations are also distinct. The AMD part belongs to the A10 (Kaveri) generation, while the Intel part belongs to the Core i7 (Broadwell-U) generation. The AMD part is a desktop processor, while the Intel part is a mobile processor, which aligns with their respective TDPs and sockets.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B wins in raw core count, offering 4 physical cores versus 2 on the Intel part. It also has higher clock speeds, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Intel part's 2.00 GHz and 3.00 GHz. The AMD part has a higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s. It also uses PCIe Gen 3, which is a newer standard than the Intel part's PCIe Gen 2.

The Intel Core i7-5550U wins in power efficiency, with a TDP of 15 watts versus 95 watts. It has a smaller process node at 14 nm versus 28 nm, and a smaller die size at 133 mm² versus 245 mm². The Intel part has a shared L3 cache of 4 MB, which the AMD part lacks entirely. The Intel part also has a higher thread count per core, achieving 4 threads from 2 cores, while the AMD part achieves 4 threads from 4 cores.

In benchmark performance, the AMD part leads in Geekbench, with a multicore score of 1194 and a singlecore score of 462. The Intel part leads in Cinebench, with a multicore R23 score of 2363 and a singlecore R23 score of 333. The average benchmark score favors the AMD part at 828 versus 813.

For desktop workloads where power draw is not a concern, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B offers more cores, higher clocks, and better memory bandwidth. For mobile or low-power scenarios, the Intel Core i7-5550U offers dramatically lower power consumption and a smaller physical footprint, while still providing competitive average scores within 1.8% of the AMD part.