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