AMD A8-7670K vs Intel Core i3-4350T Comparison

Intel Core i3-4350T and AMD A8-7670K represent two distinctly different approaches to desktop processing from the same era. The Intel part is a low-power, dual-core design with Hyper-Threading, built on a 22 nm process, while the AMD chip is a higher-power, quad-core Steamroller part on 28 nm. The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent, though narrow, advantage for the AMD processor across all tested Cinebench workloads. This analysis examines the architecture, specification, and measured performance differences between these two end-of-life desktop CPUs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4350T has 2 physical cores. However, the Intel chip supports 4 threads through Hyper-Threading, matching the AMD part's thread count.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-4350T has a TDP of 35 watts, whereas the AMD A8-7670K has a TDP of 95 watts. This is a significant difference, with the Intel part requiring far less power.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz, and it also features a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The Intel Core i3-4350T operates at a base clock of 3.10 GHz and has no boost clock.

Q: Do both processors support DDR3 memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-4350T and the AMD A8-7670K support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD chip has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, compared to Intel's 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU includes integrated graphics?

A: Both CPUs include integrated graphics. The Intel Core i3-4350T features the Intel HD 4600, while the AMD A8-7670K features the Radeon R7.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has a higher average benchmark score of 944, while the Intel Core i3-4350T has an average score of 926. This places the AMD part slightly ahead in the database's overall rankings.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is fundamental. The Intel Core i3-4350T is based on the Haswell architecture, a 22 nm design from Intel. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to handle four concurrent processing threads. The die size is 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The AMD A8-7670K, on the other hand, uses the Steamroller architecture, built on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This chip has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with a larger die size of 245 mm² and a transistor count of 2,411 million.

The cache hierarchies are also distinct. The Intel processor has a traditional setup with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The AMD processor's cache is organized differently, with a total of 256 KB of L1 cache and a 4 MB L2 cache, but no L3 cache. This difference in cache architecture can have implications for certain workloads that benefit from a large, shared last-level cache.

Memory support is similar in generation, with both supporting DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration. However, the AMD A8-7670K has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, compared to the Intel part's 25.6 GB/s. The PCIe implementation is identical on paper, with both offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics also differ significantly. The Intel Core i3-4350T uses the Intel HD 4600, which is a modest integrated solution. The AMD A8-7670K integrates a Radeon R7 GPU, which is generally more capable for graphics tasks. The AMD part is also multiplier unlocked, allowing for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $138, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Intel chip was released in May 2014, and the AMD chip was released in July 2015, both now being end-of-life products.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably consistent. Across all five recorded Cinebench tests, the AMD A8-7670K wins, but by a very narrow margin. The delta percentages are all between -1.8% and -1.9%, indicating that the Intel Core i3-4350T trails by less than 2% in every workload.

In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the AMD A8-7670K scores 276 points, while the Intel Core i3-4350T scores 271 points. This is a delta of -1.8%, meaning the Intel chip is 1.8% behind. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern, with the AMD part scoring 1152 and the Intel part scoring 1130, a delta of -1.9%.

The single-core tests follow the same trend. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD A8-7670K scores 162, and the Intel Core i3-4350T scores 159, a -1.9% delta. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the AMD part at 2745 and the Intel part at 2692, again a -1.9% delta. Finally, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD A8-7670K scores 387, and the Intel Core i3-4350T scores 380, a -1.8% delta.

These results indicate that the AMD A8-7670K has a slight but consistent performance edge over the Intel Core i3-4350T in Cinebench workloads. The advantage is present in both multi-core and single-core tests, suggesting the AMD architecture and higher clock speeds provide a modest overall performance lead. The differences are small enough that in real-world applications, users might not notice a significant difference, but the recorded data is clear: the AMD part wins all five head-to-head comparisons.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between these two processors are substantial, reflecting their different design philosophies.

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4350T | AMD A8-7670K |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket FM2+ |

| Architecture | Haswell | Steamroller |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 2,411 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 245 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Radeon R7 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2015-07-19 |

| Launch MSRP | $138 | None |

The most striking differences are the core count, clock speeds, and power consumption. The AMD A8-7670K offers double the physical cores and higher base and boost clocks, but it also consumes more than double the power, with a 95 W TDP versus 35 W. The cache configurations are also fundamentally different, with Intel using a three-tier hierarchy and AMD using a simpler two-tier design.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmark data, the AMD A8-7670K is the clear winner in all tested Cinebench scenarios. It outperforms the Intel Core i3-4350T in multi-core and single-core tests by a small but consistent margin. For users whose primary workload is CPU rendering or similar multi-threaded tasks, the AMD part's higher core count and clock speeds provide a slight edge.

The Intel Core i3-4350T's strengths lie outside of raw benchmark scores. Its significantly lower TDP of 35 W makes it a much more power-efficient choice. This could be a deciding factor for systems where thermal output and energy consumption are primary concerns, such as small form factor builds or always-on media servers. The Intel part also has a recorded launch MSRP of $138, which provides a point of reference for its original market positioning.

The AMD A8-7670K, with its unlocked multiplier, offers overclocking potential that the Intel chip does not have. This could allow users to push its performance further, although the database does not record any overclocked results. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics are also likely to be more capable than the Intel HD 4600 for light gaming or media tasks, though the database does not record specific graphics benchmarks.

In summary, the AMD A8-7670K is the better performer in the recorded benchmarks, winning all head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core i3-4350T is the more power-efficient option and may be preferred in scenarios where low power draw is critical. Each processor has a clear role: the AMD part for maximum performance in its power envelope, and the Intel part for efficiency and lower thermal output. The choice between them would depend on the specific system requirements and priorities, with the data showing a near-tie in performance but a wide divergence in power characteristics.