AMD A8-7650K vs Intel Core i7-3520M Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD A8-7650K has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i7-3520M has 2 physical cores. Both processors support 4 threads total, meaning the Intel part relies on Hyper-Threading to match the AMD's thread count.

Q: Which CPU is faster in Geekbench single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M wins decisively in Geekbench single-core, scoring 570 versus the AMD A8-7650K's 421. That is a 26.1% advantage for the Intel chip, the largest performance gap in any benchmark between these two.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD A8-7650K takes the lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 2647 against the Intel Core i7-3520M's 2426. That works out to a 9.1% margin in favor of the AMD processor.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD A8-7650K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-3520M is locked. This matters for builders who want to push clock speeds beyond stock settings.

Q: What is the power draw difference between these two chips?

A: The AMD A8-7650K has a 95W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-3520M is rated at 35W TDP. The Intel part draws substantially less power, which makes sense given its mobile market segment.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A8-7650K has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 860, compared to the Intel Core i7-3520M's 843. Both sit at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The AMD A8-7650K uses the Steamroller architecture under the Kaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4 physical cores with 4 threads, no SMT. The die size is 245 mm² with 2,411 million transistors. Cache configuration includes 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache present.

The Intel Core i7-3520M belongs to the Ivy Bridge family, fabricated on Intel's 22 nm process. It is a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, delivering 4 threads from 2 physical cores. The die is significantly smaller at 118 mm², and Intel's packaging is more compact. Cache layout differs: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD chip integrates Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel part carries Intel HD 4000. Memory support on the AMD side is DDR3 with dual-channel operation and 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel side lists dual-channel memory but no bandwidth figure in the database. AMD provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU; Intel's PCIe configuration is not recorded.

These are fundamentally different platforms. The AMD A8-7650K is a desktop part on Socket FM2+ with an unlocked multiplier, aimed at overclockers on a desktop build. The Intel Core i7-3520M is a mobile processor on BGA 1023, soldered to the board, with no multiplier unlock. The process node advantage (22 nm versus 28 nm) and the smaller die give Intel an efficiency edge, which shows in the 35W versus 95W TDP gap.

The Verdict

The data paints a split picture. The AMD A8-7650K wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, but loses both Geekbench tests, and loses single-core Geekbench by a wide margin.

For multi-threaded desktop workloads, the AMD A8-7650K is the stronger choice. In Cinebench R15, it scores 266 versus 244, a 9% lead. In Cinebench R20 multicore, it reaches 1111 versus 1018, a 9.1% edge. The same 9.1% delta repeats in Cinebench R23 multicore (2647 versus 2426). Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the AMD chip leads: 156 versus 143 in R20 single-core and 373 versus 342 in R23 single-core, both 9.1% ahead. The extra two physical cores give it a consistent advantage in rendering workloads across all Cinebench versions.

The Intel Core i7-3520M counters in Geekbench. It wins multicore 1156 versus 1048, a 9.3% margin, and single-core 570 versus 421, a 26.1% margin. These are substantial wins, especially the single-core result, which shows the Ivy Bridge architecture's strength in lightly threaded tasks.

The TDP difference matters. The Intel chip draws 35W versus 95W for the AMD part. For a mobile platform, the i7-3520M is the obvious pick, as it delivers competitive multi-core scores and superior single-core results at less than half the power draw. For a desktop builder with adequate cooling and a power budget that tolerates 95W, the A8-7650K offers better Cinebench performance and an unlocked multiplier.

The average benchmark scores are close, 860 for AMD versus 843 for Intel, and both sit at the 23rd percentile overall. Neither chip is a top performer by modern standards, but each has a clear role. Pick the AMD A8-7650K for desktop rendering workloads and overclocking headroom. Pick the Intel Core i7-3520M for mobile use, efficiency, and Geekbench-oriented tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A8-7650K | Intel Core i7-3520M |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 95W | 35W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel BGA 1023 |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Kaveri | Ivy Bridge |

| Process node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Die size | 245 mm² | 118 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 256 KB | 64 KB per core |

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

| L3 cache | None | 4 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR3 | Not recorded |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC memory | No | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2015-01-06 | 2012-06-02 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD A8-7650K dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 266 against the Intel's 244, a 9% win. Every other Cinebench test shows a 9.1% margin in AMD's favor: R20 multicore 1111 versus 1018, R20 single-core 156 versus 143, R23 multicore 2647 versus 2426, and R23 single-core 373 versus 342.

The consistency of that 9.1% delta across four separate Cinebench tests is notable. It suggests the AMD part's advantage is structural, tied to having two additional physical cores and higher base and boost clocks (3.30/3.80 GHz versus 2.90/3.60 GHz). The Cinebench workload scales with core count and raw clock speed, and the AMD chip has both.

The Intel Core i7-3520M fights back in Geekbench. In multicore, it scores 1156 versus 1048, a 9.3% margin that flips the result in its favor. In single-core, it is even more emphatic: 570 versus 421, a 26.1% lead. That single-core gap is the largest delta in any test between these two processors. The Ivy Bridge architecture's higher IPC per clock is apparent here, despite the Intel chip's lower base and boost clocks.

The overall win count favors AMD, 5 wins to 2, but the magnitude of Intel's single-core Geekbench win is roughly three times larger than AMD's typical Cinebench margin. A 26.1% deficit in single-core performance is a serious concern for any workload that relies on one or two threads with low parallelism.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A8-7650K wins in Cinebench rendering workloads, both multi-core and single-core. The 9.1% lead across R20 and R23, plus the 9% lead in R15, makes it the better choice for CPU-bound rendering tasks. Its higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.90 GHz) and boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz) help in threaded applications, and the four physical cores handle parallel workloads more effectively than two cores with Hyper-Threading. The unlocked multiplier also gives overclocking headroom, which the Intel part cannot match.

The Intel Core i7-3520M wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core where it leads by 26.1%. That result points to strengths in lightly threaded applications, everyday responsiveness, and workloads that depend on high IPC rather than raw core count. The 9.3% multicore Geekbench win also shows that the Intel chip can hold its own in some threaded scenarios, likely due to the shared 4 MB L3 cache and efficient Ivy Bridge design.

The power envelope is a separate arena where Intel wins outright. The 35W TDP versus 95W TDP means the i7-3520M suits compact laptops and low-power systems, while the A8-7650K demands desktop-class cooling and power delivery. For mobile use, the Intel part is the only realistic option here. For a desktop build with power to spare and a preference for Cinebench performance, the AMD chip is the pick. The data supports both choices depending on the use case, with AMD taking the rendering crown and Intel taking the efficiency and single-thread performance crown.