AMD A10 PRO-7850B vs Intel Xeon X3440 Comparison

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B and Intel Xeon X3440 are both end-of-life desktop or workstation processors that occupy the same 22nd percentile in the database, yet they approach computing from fundamentally different angles. The AMD chip is a 28nm Kaveri APU with a high 3.70 GHz base clock and integrated Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel part is a 45nm Lynnfield server chip with a lower 2.53 GHz base clock but Hyper-Threading support and a large shared L3 cache. Benchmark data shows that while the AMD part leads in aggregate average score (828 vs 815), the Intel Xeon counters with significantly stronger multi-threaded rendering results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The direct comparison is complicated by the fact that the two processors were tested under different benchmark suites. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has Geekbench scores of 1,194 in multi-core and 462 in single-core, while the Intel Xeon X3440 was evaluated with Cinebench tests, scoring 238 in R15 multi-core, 994 in R20 multi-core, and 2,368 in R23 multi-core. In single-core Cinebench tests, the Xeon scores 140 in R20 and 334 in R23. The data does not provide apples-to-apples scores on the same test, so the head-to-head must be interpreted through the lens of each processor's nearest rivals.

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B's average benchmark score of 828 places it 0.9% ahead of the AMD PRO A10-8750B (821) and 0.9% ahead of the Intel Xeon E5540 (820). It trails the Intel Core i5-3360M (835) by 0.8% and the Intel Xeon X3450 (837) by 1.1%. This suggests that the A10 PRO-7850B is a mid-pack performer, slightly weaker than the best comparable Intel mobile and server chips of its era but competitive with its direct AMD successor.

The Intel Xeon X3440, with an average score of 815, sits 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-L16G7 (816) and 0.2% behind both the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 and Intel Core i7-5550U (both at 813). It trails the Intel Xeon E5540 (820) by 0.7%. The Xeon X3440's performance profile is tightly clustered around its rivals, with no single competitor more than 0.7% away, indicating that it is a well-balanced chip that neither dominates nor gets left behind in its peer group.

The biggest wins each way are visible in the specific benchmark types. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B's Geekbench multi-core score of 1,194 is over 2.5 times its single-core score of 462, showing strong scaling across cores for that workload. The Intel Xeon X3440's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2,368 is over 7 times its single-core score of 334, demonstrating even more dramatic multi-threaded scaling, which is expected given its 8 threads versus the AMD's 4 threads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial, reflecting their different design goals and release eras. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28nm process from GlobalFoundries, packing 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The Intel Xeon X3440 uses the Nehalem architecture on a 45nm process from Intel, with just 774 million transistors on a larger 296 mm² die. The newer 28nm process allows AMD to fit over three times as many transistors in a smaller physical area.

The cache configurations tell a story of different priorities. AMD provides 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip's shared L3 cache is a significant advantage for workloads that benefit from large pools of fast memory accessible to all cores, while AMD's design relies on higher clock speeds to compensate.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B includes a Radeon R7 iGPU, making it a true APU that can drive a display without a discrete graphics card. The Intel Xeon X3440 has no integrated graphics at all, which is typical for a server/workstation part that assumes a discrete GPU will be installed. The AMD chip also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip is limited to PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes.

Memory support differs as well. Both support DDR3 in dual-channel configuration, but the AMD A10 PRO-7850B offers a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s versus the Intel Xeon X3440's 21.3 GB/s. The AMD part does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Xeon does support ECC, reflecting its server heritage. The Intel Xeon X3440 also has a launch MSRP of $215, which is the only pricing information available for either part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Xeon X3440 has 8 threads from 4 cores, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B has 4 threads from 4 cores. This gives the Intel part a distinct advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

Q: Does the AMD A10 PRO-7850B have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon X3440 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete graphics card for display output.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has an average benchmark score of 828, while the Intel Xeon X3440 has an average score of 815. The AMD part is 1.6% higher in this aggregate metric.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon X3440 has an 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B has no L3 cache at all. The AMD chip relies on its 4 MB of L2 cache instead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon X3440 supports ECC memory, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B does not. This makes the Intel part more suitable for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks.

Q: What generation of PCIe does each processor support?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel Xeon X3440 supports PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes. The AMD part offers twice the bandwidth per lane.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon X3440 has a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 2.93 GHz. Both have a TDP of 95 watts, making them equal in power consumption despite the AMD's much higher clock speeds.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FM2+ while Intel uses Socket 1156. The process nodes differ significantly, with AMD at 28 nm and Intel at 45 nm. The AMD chip has 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, while the Intel chip has 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die. Cache hierarchies are completely different, with AMD offering 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 but no L3, while Intel offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 34.1 GB/s versus Intel's 21.3 GB/s. ECC memory support is exclusive to Intel. PCIe generation favors AMD (Gen 3 vs Gen 2). Integrated graphics are exclusive to AMD. The market segments differ: AMD targets Desktop while Intel targets Server/Workstation. Release dates are about five years apart, with AMD launching in July 2014 and Intel in September 2009. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $215, while the AMD part has no MSRP listed.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B wins in scenarios that favor high clock speeds and integrated graphics. Its 3.70 GHz base clock and 4.00 GHz boost clock are substantially higher than the Intel's 2.53 GHz and 2.93 GHz, giving it an edge in lightly threaded tasks that depend on raw clock speed. The Radeon R7 integrated GPU means the AMD part can run a basic desktop or media center without a discrete graphics card, making it a more complete package for compact or budget-oriented builds. The higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s and PCIe Gen 3 support also give it advantages in memory-intensive and modern peripheral scenarios.

The Intel Xeon X3440 wins in multi-threaded server and workstation workloads. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads allow it to process more simultaneous tasks, and the 8 MB shared L3 cache provides fast access to a large working set. The Cinebench scores demonstrate this advantage: the Xeon's R23 multi-core score of 2,368 shows strong scaling across its threads. ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-critical applications like file servers, databases, or long-running compute jobs where data integrity is paramount. The Intel part's server heritage means it is likely to be more stable under sustained heavy loads, though the data pack does not include stress-test results.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors comes down to workload type and system requirements. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the better pick for a desktop system where integrated graphics are needed or where single-threaded performance at high clock speeds is the priority. Its higher average benchmark score of 828 versus 815, combined with the Radeon R7 iGPU and PCIe Gen 3 support, makes it a more versatile all-in-one solution for a general-purpose desktop. The data shows it is competitive with the Intel Xeon X3450 (837, 1.1% higher) and the Intel Core i5-3360M (835, 0.8% higher), confirming its position as a solid mid-range desktop chip.

The Intel Xeon X3440 is the better pick for a server or workstation where multi-threaded throughput and ECC memory support are essential. The 8 threads and 8 MB shared L3 cache give it a clear advantage in rendering, virtualization, or database workloads that can use all available threads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2,368 demonstrates that it can handle heavily parallel tasks effectively. Its launch MSRP of $215 indicates it was positioned as an entry-level server part, and the data shows it performs within 0.7% of the Intel Xeon E5540 (820), making it a capable choice for budget server builds. For users who need error-correcting memory or maximum multi-threaded performance, the Xeon X3440 is the clear choice; for everyone else, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B offers a more complete and faster-clocked desktop package.