AMD A10 PRO-7850B vs Intel Core i7-870S Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the AMD A10 PRO-7850B and Intel Core i7-870S compare in overall benchmark scores?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has an average benchmark score of 828, while the Intel Core i7-870S records an average of 809. The AMD part sits 2.3% higher in the database’s aggregate measurement, though both processors occupy the 22nd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning it processes one thread per core. The Intel Core i7-870S also has 4 cores but supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, allowing it to handle two threads per core.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B leads with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i7-870S operates at a lower base of 2.67 GHz and boosts to 3.60 GHz, a deficit of over 1 GHz at base and 0.4 GHz at boost.

Q: What are the manufacturing process nodes for these chips?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the Intel Core i7-870S uses Intel’s older 45 nm node. The AMD chip packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die, whereas the Intel chip contains 774 million transistors on a larger 296 mm² die.

Q: Do both processors include integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B features Radeon R7 integrated graphics, making it a complete APU solution. The Intel Core i7-870S lists no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: What memory and PCIe capabilities differ between the two?

A: Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the AMD chip has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s while the Intel chip’s bandwidth is not listed. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel Core i7-870S uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a split based on workload type. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B wins in the database’s Geekbench tests, scoring 1194 in multi-core and 462 in single-core. These are the only recorded benchmarks for the AMD part, and they indicate strength in general-purpose computing tasks that rely on raw clock speed and per-core efficiency.

The Intel Core i7-870S, by contrast, has no Geekbench entries but dominates in Cinebench rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 236, the R20 multi-core score is 987, and the R23 multi-core score reaches 2350. Single-core Cinebench scores are 139 in R20 and 331 in R23. These results suggest the Intel chip excels in threaded rendering and content creation tasks, where its 8 threads provide a substantial advantage over the AMD part’s 4 threads.

The architecture difference explains this split. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B relies on higher clocks (3.70 GHz base, 4.00 GHz boost) to push through lightly threaded workloads. The Intel Core i7-870S compensates for its lower clocks (2.67 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) with additional threads, which pays off in multi-threaded rendering software. The data does not show a single winner across all tests; instead, the choice depends on whether the user prioritizes single-thread responsiveness or multi-thread throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B uses the Steamroller architecture under the Kaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates the CPU and Radeon R7 graphics on a single die, reflecting AMD’s APU approach. The die measures 245 mm² and contains 2,411 million transistors, a high transistor count driven by the integrated GPU.

The Intel Core i7-870S uses the Nehalem architecture under the Lynnfield codename, fabricated on Intel’s 45 nm process. This is an older, larger node, which explains the lower transistor count of 774 million despite a larger die size of 296 mm². The Nehalem design separates the CPU from graphics, so no integrated GPU is present.

Cache layouts differ significantly. 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 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip’s larger total cache, particularly the 8 MB L3, helps mitigate the clock speed disadvantage by keeping more data closer to the cores.

Memory support is similar: both use DDR3 with dual-channel buses. The AMD chip has a specified memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel chip’s bandwidth is unrecorded. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while Intel offers PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes. This gives the AMD platform a newer, faster interconnect for GPUs and storage.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several clear differences between the two processors.

| Specification | AMD A10 PRO-7850B | Intel Core i7-870S |

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

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.67 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 82 W |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | 774 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 296 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 256 KB | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 256 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | None | 8 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe Version | Gen 3 | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | None |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Release Date | 2014-07-30 | 2010-07-18 |

The Intel part has a lower TDP of 82 W versus 95 W for the AMD chip, meaning it draws less power under load. The AMD part compensates with higher clocks and newer PCIe technology. The Intel chip’s larger L3 cache is its main cache advantage, while the AMD chip’s uniform L2 cache is larger overall at 4 MB.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark entries between the AMD A10 PRO-7850B and Intel Core i7-870S. Instead, the comparison relies on their respective benchmark suites, which measure different workloads.

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B’s Geekbench scores provide the only cross-processor metric available. Its multi-core score of 1194 and single-core score of 462 place it in the 22nd percentile overall. The Intel Core i7-870S also sits in the 22nd percentile, but its recorded benchmarks are all Cinebench tests. This means a direct numerical comparison across identical tests is impossible from the recorded data.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each chip gives context. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-3360M with an average score of 835, a delta of -0.8%, meaning the AMD chip is 0.8% behind that rival. It is 0.9% ahead of both the AMD PRO A10-8750B and Intel Xeon E5540, and 1.1% behind the Intel Xeon X3450. The Intel Core i7-870S’s nearest rival is the AMD A10-6800K with an identical average score of 809 and a 0% delta. It is 0.4% ahead of the AMD Athlon X4 850 and Intel Xeon X5482, and 0.5% behind the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775.

These rival comparisons show both chips perform in the same tier. The AMD part’s 828 average is 19 points higher than the Intel part’s 809, a 2.3% gap. In the absence of overlapping benchmark tests, the aggregate score is the only direct comparison point. The data indicates the AMD chip holds a slight overall edge, but the Intel chip’s Cinebench results suggest it would win in rendering-specific workloads if such a test were run on both.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear decision framework. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the better choice for users who need a self-contained processor with integrated Radeon R7 graphics, higher clock speeds, and newer PCIe Gen 3 support. Its 3.70 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost clocks are substantially higher than the Intel part’s 2.67 GHz and 3.60 GHz, which translates to stronger single-thread performance in the Geekbench metrics. The 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth and 28 nm process also indicate a more modern design.

The Intel Core i7-870S is preferable for multi-threaded workloads that can exploit its 8 threads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2350, compared to the R23 single-core score of 331, shows the chip scales well across cores. The 8 MB shared L3 cache helps feed those threads, and the lower 82 W TDP makes it a more power-efficient option. For rendering, video encoding, or any task that uses more than 4 threads, the Intel part’s thread advantage is decisive.

Users who prioritize a single socket with graphics included should choose the AMD A10 PRO-7850B. Users who pair a discrete GPU and run threaded productivity software should choose the Intel Core i7-870S. The overall average scores are close: 828 for the AMD chip versus 809 for the Intel chip, a 2.3% difference. Neither processor is a clear winner across all scenarios. The choice hinges on workload type, with the AMD part winning on per-core speed and the Intel part winning on multi-thread scaling. Both are end-of-life products, so platform availability and motherboard compatibility are the final practical considerations.