AMD A8-6600K vs Intel Core i7-3537U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall winner in the direct comparison between these two processors. The Intel Core i7-3537U wins both benchmark tests featured in the head-to-head section, with the AMD A8-6600K failing to claim a single victory. The average benchmark score across all recorded tests places the Intel part at 766, while the AMD part sits at 764, a difference of only 0.3 percent in favor of Intel. This near-parity in average scores, however, masks significant divergence in individual test results.

In the Geekbench multi-core test, the Intel Core i7-3537U scores 1269, while the AMD A8-6600K scores 1076. This gives Intel a 17.9 percent advantage in multi-core performance. The margin is substantial, especially considering that the AMD chip has twice the physical core count. The Intel processor manages to outperform a quad-core desktop part using only two physical cores with Hyper-Threading, which speaks to the efficiency of the Ivy Bridge architecture in this workload.

The single-core Geekbench test shows an even more pronounced gap. Intel scores 658 against AMD's 451, a 45.9 percent difference. This is a massive lead for the Intel Core i7-3537U, and it highlights a fundamental weakness in the AMD A8-6600K's architecture: its per-core performance lags far behind Intel's design. A 45.9 percent deficit in single-core performance is not a marginal gap; it is a chasm that affects every single-threaded application.

Looking at the nearest rivals data, both processors occupy essentially the same performance tier. The Intel Core i7-3537U has an average benchmark score of 766, which places it 0.3 percent ahead of the AMD A8-6600K's 764. The Intel part also sits close to the Intel Core i3-3240 (761, a 0.7 percent gap) and the Intel Core i5-680 (772, a -0.8 percent gap). The AMD A8-6600K similarly sits between the Intel Core i3-3240 (761, a 0.5 percent gap) and the Intel Core i5-3210M (758, a 0.8 percent gap), with the Intel Core i3-5020U close behind at 757 (a 0.9 percent gap). These percentile rankings confirm that while the two processors are close in aggregate, the benchmark distribution is heavily skewed toward Intel's strengths.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3537U wins in every benchmark category where data exists. In multi-core workloads, it holds a 17.9 percent advantage over the AMD A8-6600K. This is notable because the AMD chip features four physical cores, whereas Intel only has two cores with four threads. The multi-core result suggests that Intel's architectural efficiency, combined with its Hyper-Threading capability, more than compensates for the raw core count disadvantage.

Single-core performance is where the Intel part truly dominates. A 45.9 percent lead in the Geekbench single-core test indicates that the Ivy Bridge architecture delivers significantly higher instructions per clock than the Piledriver design used in the AMD chip. For any application that relies on one or two threads, the Intel Core i7-3537U is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

The AMD A8-6600K has no recorded wins in the head-to-head benchmarks. Its strengths, if any, do not appear in the Cinebench or Geekbench results available in the database. The AMD part does have a higher base clock (3.90 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.20 GHz), but these clock advantages do not translate into benchmark victories. The data shows that clock speed alone cannot overcome the architectural deficit.

For users who care about Cinebench performance, the Intel Core i7-3537U has recorded scores in multiple Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 201. In R20 multi-core, it scores 839, and in R20 single-core, it scores 118. In R23 multi-core, it scores 1998, and in R23 single-core, it scores 282. These scores indicate a consistent performance profile across different Cinebench versions. The AMD A8-6600K has no Cinebench scores in the database, so direct comparisons in those tests are not possible.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3537U is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The thermal design power is 17 watts, making it a low-power mobile part. It uses the Intel BGA 1023 socket and belongs to the mobile market segment. The cache configuration includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 118 mm².

The AMD A8-6600K is built on the Piledriver architecture, specifically the Richland codename, using a 32 nm process node manufactured by GlobalFoundries. It features 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The thermal design power is 100 watts, which is nearly six times higher than Intel's part. It uses the AMD Socket FM2 and belongs to the desktop market segment. The cache configuration includes 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The die size is 246 mm², and the transistor count is 1,303 million.

The process node difference is significant: Intel's 22 nm process versus AMD's 32 nm process. This explains part of the efficiency gap. The Intel part draws only 17 watts, while the AMD part draws 100 watts, yet the Intel part still wins in both multi-core and single-core benchmarks. The die size difference is also notable, with AMD's chip being more than twice the size of Intel's (246 mm² versus 118 mm²), despite having a larger transistor count to manage.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, with dual-channel memory buses. The AMD part has a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Intel part has no memory bandwidth figure in the database. Both lack ECC memory support. The AMD part features PCIe Gen 2, while the Intel part has no PCIe information recorded. The integrated graphics differ: Intel uses HD 4000, while AMD uses Radeon HD 8570D.

The Intel Core i7-3537U has a locked multiplier, while the AMD A8-6600K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. This is a meaningful distinction for enthusiasts, though the benchmark data does not include overclocked results. The production status also differs: the AMD part is marked as end-of-life, while the Intel part has no production status recorded.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i7-3537U outperforms the AMD A8-6600K in every benchmark where both have recorded scores. The multi-core gap is 17.9 percent, and the single-core gap is 45.9 percent. These are not marginal differences; they represent a substantial performance advantage for Intel.

Users who prioritize single-threaded performance should choose the Intel Core i7-3537U without hesitation. The 45.9 percent lead in Geekbench single-core means that everyday tasks, which often rely on one or two threads, will run noticeably faster on the Intel part. The Intel chip's lower power draw of 17 watts (versus 100 watts for AMD) also makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, whereas the AMD part is a desktop component.

Users who need multi-core performance might expect the AMD A8-6600K's four physical cores to provide an advantage, but the data shows otherwise. The Intel part wins multi-core Geekbench by 17.9 percent despite having only two physical cores. This suggests that for the workloads captured in these benchmarks, the Intel architecture is simply more efficient at executing instructions.

The AMD A8-6600K does have an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking. However, no overclocked benchmark data exists in the database, so its overclocked potential cannot be quantified here. Based strictly on the recorded measurements, the Intel Core i7-3537U is the superior processor in this comparison.

The percentile rankings reinforce this verdict. The Intel part sits at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 20th percentile. These are nearly identical standings, but the head-to-head results show that the Intel part achieves its standing with significantly better per-core performance and far lower power consumption.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3537U has an average benchmark score of 766, while the AMD A8-6600K has an average score of 764, a difference of 0.3 percent in favor of Intel.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap between the two?

A: In the Geekbench single-core test, the Intel Core i7-3537U scores 658 versus 451 for the AMD A8-6600K, giving Intel a 45.9 percent lead.

Q: Does the AMD A8-6600K win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The recorded data shows the AMD A8-6600K wins zero head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-3537U wins two.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-3537U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD A8-6600K has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has the lower thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core i7-3537U has a TDP of 17 watts, while the AMD A8-6600K has a TDP of 100 watts.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Neither processor supports ECC memory; both have eCC memory support set to false.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3537U | AMD A8-6600K |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 100 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1023 | AMD Socket FM2 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Piledriver |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Richland |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 118 mm² | 246 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,303 million |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | None |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 29.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not recorded | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Radeon HD 8570D |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Not recorded | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2013-01-07 | 2013-05-31 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR0XG | AD660KWOHLBOXAD660KWOA44HL |