CPU Comparison

The Verdict, who should pick which, strictly from the data

The Intel Core i3-8145U is the clear performance winner in every benchmark where both chips were measured. Across five Cinebench tests, R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core, the Intel part wins all five, with deltas ranging from -14.1% to -14.3% relative to the AMD A8-7670K. That consistency is decisive: no test goes the AMD’s way, and the margin is nearly identical in every workload, suggesting a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The AMD A8-7670K’s only statistical edge is its average benchmark score of 944 versus Intel’s 941, a 0.3% difference that falls within the noise of its nearest rivals (the AMD Athlon X4 860K scores 943, the Intel Core i3-1110G4 scores 945). Both CPUs sit at the 25th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a high-end part. But the Intel chip delivers its performance at a 15 W TDP versus AMD’s 95 W, making it the sensible choice for anyone prioritizing efficiency or a mobile form factor. The AMD part is a desktop chip with a 95 W TDP, an unlocked multiplier, and an end-of-life status; the Intel part is a mobile chip with a 15 W TDP, a locked multiplier, and a launch MSRP of $281. If the data guides the decision, the Intel Core i3-8145U is the better buy for raw performance and power efficiency. The AMD A8-7670K only makes sense for a legacy FM2+ desktop build where the unlocked multiplier is valued, and even then, benchmark results show it trails in every measured test.

Architecture Differences, node, cores, cache, features that differ

The architectural gap is stark. The AMD A8-7670K uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm GlobalFoundries process, with a die size of 245 mm² and 2,411 million transistors. The Intel Core i3-8145U uses Whiskey Lake architecture on Intel’s 10 nm process, with no transistor or die-size data provided. The process node difference alone explains much of the power and efficiency gap: AMD’s 28 nm part draws 95 W TDP, while Intel’s 10 nm part draws just 15 W TDP.

Core counts differ meaningfully. The AMD part has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Intel part has 2 physical cores and 4 threads (thanks to Hyper-Threading). Despite having half the physical cores, the Intel chip still outpaces the AMD chip in every multi-core test, which indicates that its per-core efficiency and higher clock behavior more than compensate for the core-count disadvantage. The AMD part has a 3.60 GHz base clock and a 3.90 GHz boost clock; the Intel part has a 2.10 GHz base clock and a 3.90 GHz boost clock. Both reach 3.90 GHz at boost, but Intel gets there from a much lower base, suggesting a wider dynamic range.

Cache layouts differ completely. The AMD A8-7670K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. The Intel Core i3-8145U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. That L3 cache is a significant architectural advantage for Intel, as it provides a shared pool for both cores and threads. Memory support also diverges: AMD uses DDR3 with dual-channel support and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth; Intel uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ: the AMD part has Radeon R7, while the Intel part has UHD Graphics 620. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part does not. The AMD part is a desktop chip on Socket FM2+, while the Intel part is a mobile chip on BGA 1528. The AMD part was released in July 2015, the Intel part in September 2018. Both are end-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks, walk through the biggest wins each way with exact numbers

The Intel Core i3-8145U wins every head-to-head benchmark, and the margins are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 322 against AMD’s 276, a -14.3% delta. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, Intel scores 1342 against AMD’s 1152, a -14.2% delta. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 3196 against AMD’s 2745, a -14.1% delta. The multi-core gap narrows slightly from R15 to R23 (from -14.3% to -14.1%), but the difference is negligible.

Single-core tests tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel scores 189 against AMD’s 162, a -14.3% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 451 against AMD’s 387, a -14.2% delta. The Intel part has no single-core benchmark listed for R15, but the R20 and R23 single-core results show a consistent ~14% advantage. Across all five tests, the delta never deviates beyond -14.1% to -14.3%, which is a remarkably tight band. This suggests that the Intel chip’s advantage is not workload-dependent; it is a fundamental architectural lead.

The AMD A8-7670K has no wins in any head-to-head test. Its best showing is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it trails by 451 points (2745 vs. 3196). Its worst showing is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it trails by 27 points (162 vs. 189). The AMD part’s average benchmark score is 944, which is 3 points higher than Intel’s 941, but that average includes benchmarks not in the head-to-head set and is not reflected in any direct comparison. The nearest-rival data shows the AMD part is effectively tied with the Intel Core i3-1110G4 (945, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Athlon X4 860K (943, delta 0.1%). The Intel part is effectively tied with the Intel Core i7-2715QE (942, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Athlon X4 860K (943, delta -0.2%). Both chips are clustered with the same mid-range rivals, but Intel wins every direct comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-8145U has 2 physical cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8145U beat the AMD A8-7670K in every benchmark?

A: Yes. In all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core, the Intel chip wins, with deltas ranging from -14.1% to -14.3%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has a 95 W TDP, while the Intel Core i3-8145U has a 15 W TDP. That is an 80 W difference in favor of Intel.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i3-8145U does not.

Q: What memory types do the two support?

A: The AMD A8-7670K supports DDR3 with dual-channel memory and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-8145U supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has an average benchmark score of 944, and the Intel Core i3-8145U has an average benchmark score of 941. The difference is 3 points, or 0.3%, in favor of AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-8145U wins in every measured performance category. It leads in multi-core workloads across all three Cinebench versions: R15 (322 vs. 276), R20 (1342 vs. 1152), and R23 (3196 vs. 2745). It also leads in single-core workloads: R20 (189 vs. 162) and R23 (451 vs. 387). The Intel chip’s 10 nm process and 15 W TDP make it the clear winner for any scenario where power efficiency matters, such as mobile or compact systems. Its DDR4 memory support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth also give it a memory-bandwidth edge over AMD’s DDR3 and 34.1 GB/s. The Intel part has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, which the AMD part lacks entirely, providing a latency advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

The AMD A8-7670K wins only in the narrow sense of having a slightly higher average benchmark score (944 vs. 941) and in having more physical cores (4 vs. 2). It also has an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking, a feature the Intel chip lacks. The AMD part’s 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache are larger on a per-core basis than Intel’s 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but the Intel chip’s shared 4 MB L3 cache appears to compensate. The AMD part is a desktop chip on Socket FM2+, so it fits in existing AM2+/FM2+ motherboards, whereas the Intel part is a mobile chip on BGA 1528. For a user with a legacy FM2+ board who wants to overclock, the AMD part has a niche appeal. For anyone else, the data shows the Intel chip wins on performance, efficiency, and memory bandwidth.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A8-7670K | Intel Core i3-8145U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Whiskey Lake |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | Not listed |

| 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 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2015-07-19 | 2018-09-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $281 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |