AMD A8-7670K vs Intel Core i5-4330M Comparison

The AMD A8-7670K and Intel Core i5-4330M are closely matched in raw compute performance, but they represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The A8-7670K edges out the i5-4330M in every single benchmark recorded, though the margins are razor-thin, ranging from 0.5% to 0.7%. However, the i5-4330M counters with a dramatically lower TDP of 37 watts versus 95 watts for the AMD part, making it the clear choice for power-constrained mobile systems, while the A8-7670K’s unlocked multiplier and desktop socket position it as a tweaker’s platform.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the AMD A8-7670K across all five Cinebench tests, but the victories are measured in single-digit percentage points. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the A8-7670K scores 276 against the i5-4330M’s 274, a 0.7% lead. That margin repeats almost exactly in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the AMD part posts 1152 versus 1145, a 0.6% advantage. The single-core results tell the same story: the A8-7670K wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 162 points over 161, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 387 versus 385, a 0.5% gap. The largest relative win comes in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the A8-7670K scores 2745 against 2727, again a 0.7% lead.

These numbers are statistically negligible in real-world terms. A 0.7% difference in a multicore render is within run-to-run variation for most workloads. What matters more is that the AMD chip achieves this with four physical cores and four threads, while the Intel chip uses two physical cores with Hyper-Threading to reach four threads. The i5-4330M’s higher per-core efficiency is evident — it nearly matches the A8-7670K’s four-core output with only two physical cores. The i5-4330M’s boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus the A8-7670K’s 3.90 GHz boost helps close the gap, but the AMD part’s extra cores provide just enough headroom to maintain the lead.

The average benchmark scores align with the head-to-head results. The A8-7670K carries an average score of 944, while the i5-4330M sits at 938. Both processors land in the 25th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier in the broader market. Interestingly, the A8-7670K’s nearest rival list includes the AMD Athlon X4 860K at a 0.1% delta, while the i5-4330M’s nearest rivals include the same Athlon X4 860K at a -0.5% delta, confirming these two CPUs are effectively interchangeable in raw throughput.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the AMD A8-7670K is the faster processor in every measured benchmark, but the margins are so small that they should not drive a buying decision. The real differentiator is the platform and power envelope. The A8-7670K is a desktop part on AMD Socket FM2+ with a 95 W TDP, an unlocked multiplier, and a Radeon R7 integrated GPU. The i5-4330M is a mobile part on Intel Socket G3 with a 37 W TDP, a locked multiplier, and Intel HD 5000 graphics.

If the priority is maximum compute performance regardless of power draw, the A8-7670K wins — it leads in all five Cinebench tests. If the priority is efficiency and mobile deployment, the i5-4330M is the only viable option, as its 37 W TDP is less than half the AMD part’s 95 W figure. The i5-4330M also benefits from a newer architecture (Haswell versus Steamroller) and a smaller process node (22 nm versus 28 nm), which explains its ability to nearly match a quad-core part with just two cores. For a desktop user who overclocks, the A8-7670K’s unlocked multiplier is a clear advantage. For a laptop or compact mobile system, the i5-4330M is the logical choice.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different eras and design goals. The AMD A8-7670K uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries, packing 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. It has four cores and four threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. Cache is split as 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache present. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR3 with a theoretical bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and the chip provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Core i5-4330M uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process from Intel, with 1,400 million transistors on a much smaller 118 mm² die. It has two cores and four threads via Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The cache hierarchy differs significantly: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3. The i5-4330M lacks a published memory bus or bandwidth figure in the data, and it does not list PCIe support. Its integrated graphics is Intel HD 5000, while the A8-7670K features a Radeon R7.

The A8-7670K’s unlocked multiplier is a major architectural differentiator — it allows user-controlled overclocking, whereas the i5-4330M’s multiplier is locked. The production status also differs: the A8-7670K is explicitly marked end-of-life, while the i5-4330M has no such designation. The A8-7670K was released in July 2015; the i5-4330M came out in August 2013, making the Intel part nearly two years older yet still competitive.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD A8-7670K scores 2745 versus the Intel Core i5-4330M’s 2727, a 0.7% lead for the AMD part.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4330M have more cores than the AMD A8-7670K?

A: No. The A8-7670K has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4330M has 2 physical cores and 4 threads.

Q: Can the Intel Core i5-4330M be overclocked?

A: No. The multiplier is locked, whereas the AMD A8-7670K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

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

A: The AMD A8-7670K has a TDP of 95 W, while the Intel Core i5-4330M has a TDP of 37 W.

Q: Which chip has a larger cache?

A: The A8-7670K has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2 with no L3. The i5-4330M has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both sit in the 25th percentile of all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 944 for the A8-7670K and 938 for the i5-4330M.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A8-7670K wins in every recorded benchmark, but the practical implications depend on the workload. For multicore rendering tasks like Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the A8-7670K’s four physical cores provide a consistent, if small, advantage. The data shows a 0.6-0.7% lead in all multicore tests, which could translate to slightly faster render times in threaded applications that scale well beyond two cores. The single-core tests also favor the A8-7670K, but by an even narrower 0.5-0.6%, suggesting the i5-4330M’s per-core efficiency nearly offsets the AMD chip’s clock advantage.

The Intel Core i5-4330M wins on efficiency and platform suitability. Its 37 W TDP is less than 40% of the A8-7670K’s 95 W TDP, making it the only sensible choice for battery-powered or thermally constrained mobile systems. The i5-4330M also achieves near-parity in performance with a much smaller die (118 mm² versus 245 mm²) and fewer transistors (1,400 million versus 2,411 million), demonstrating superior architectural efficiency. For users who need a drop-in desktop upgrade with overclocking headroom, the A8-7670K is the winner. For users who need a mobile processor that sips power, the i5-4330M is the clear pick.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every major specification. The A8-7670K has 4 cores and 4 threads; the i5-4330M has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz versus 2.80 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. TDP is 95 W for the AMD part and 37 W for the Intel part. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FM2+ versus Intel Socket G3. The architectures are Steamroller versus Haswell, with process nodes of 28 nm versus 22 nm. Transistor counts are 2,411 million versus 1,400 million, and die sizes are 245 mm² versus 118 mm².

Cache layouts are distinct: the A8-7670K has 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2 with no L3; the i5-4330M has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but only the A8-7670K lists a dual-channel bus and a 34.1 GB/s bandwidth figure. The A8-7670K provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes; the i5-4330M lists no PCIe data. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon R7 versus Intel HD 5000. The A8-7670K has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-4330M does not. The A8-7670K is end-of-life with a July 2015 release; the i5-4330M has no production status and an August 2013 release.