CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4558U and AMD A8-7680 occupy the same percentile ranking (28th) among all CPUs, yet they achieve this parity through radically different designs. The Intel part is a 2-core/4-thread mobile processor built on a 22nm process, while the AMD chip is a 4-core/4-thread desktop part on a 28nm node. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1038 for the Intel and 1036 for the AMD, but the data reveals a consistent performance gap in favor of the AMD processor across every single benchmark test in this comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD A8-7680 wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with deltas ranging from -15.8% to -16.3% relative to the Intel Core i7-4558U. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 303 against Intel’s 255, a -15.8% difference. The margin grows slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD’s 1264 beats Intel’s 1063 by -15.9%. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23 multi-core: AMD posts 3011 versus Intel’s 2532, again a -15.9% gap. These consistent multi-core deficits suggest the AMD chip’s two additional physical cores provide a structural advantage in heavily threaded workloads, even though both processors support four threads total.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margin is slightly larger. In Cinebench R20 single-core, AMD’s 178 score tops Intel’s 149 by -16.3%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows AMD at 425 versus Intel’s 357, a -16% difference. This is notable because single-core performance typically favors Intel architectures, but here the AMD Excavator core at 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost simply outruns the Intel Haswell part at 2.80 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The clock speed advantage of 700 MHz at base and 500 MHz at boost appears decisive in these tests, overriding any architectural efficiency gains from Intel’s newer design.

The Geekbench results, which are only available for the Intel part, show scores of 1967 multi-core and 941 single-core. Since no corresponding Geekbench data exists for the AMD processor, the comparison relies entirely on the Cinebench suite. Still, the uniform -16% delta across all Cinebench tests indicates a stable and predictable performance hierarchy between these two parts. The nearest rival data confirms the broader context: the Intel chip is 0.2% ahead of the AMD A8-7680 in average score (1038 vs. 1036), but the AMD chip is 0.1% ahead of the AMD A10-7890K and 0.2% ahead of the AMD A10-9700. These micro-differences place the two processors in the same performance tier, despite the AMD’s consistent per-test victories.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A8-7680 wins in every measured category, making the use-case split straightforward. For multi-threaded applications like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the AMD’s four physical cores deliver Cinebench R23 multi-core scores of 3011, which is 15.9% higher than Intel’s 2532. The AMD also claims single-thread dominance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 425 versus Intel’s 357, a 16% advantage that benefits everyday responsiveness, office productivity, and lightly threaded applications like web browsers or spreadsheet software.

The Intel Core i7-4558U, despite losing every benchmark, still holds relevance in its intended mobile segment. Its 28W TDP is substantially lower than the AMD’s 45W TDP, which means it will produce less heat and consume less power in a thin-and-light laptop chassis. The Intel part also integrates Intel HD 5100 graphics, while the AMD uses Radeon R7; both are integrated solutions, but the Intel’s lower power envelope makes it the more suitable choice for battery-powered devices. The Intel’s 22nm process node versus AMD’s 28nm node also contributes to better power efficiency, even though that efficiency does not translate into raw performance wins in this dataset.

For desktop users building a system around the AMD Socket FM2+ platform, the A8-7680 is the clear performance pick. Its active production status, disclosed release date of October 25, 2018, and dual-channel DDR3 memory support with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth make it a viable contemporary option for budget desktop builds. The Intel part, by contrast, has no production status listed and targets the BGA 1168 socket, which is soldered and not upgradeable. In short: the AMD wins on raw throughput, while the Intel wins on power efficiency and mobile suitability.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-4558U uses the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-ULT codename, built on a 22nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It packs 1,300 million transistors into a 118 mm² die. The AMD A8-7680 uses the Excavator architecture with the Carrizo codename, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 28nm process, housing 3,100 million transistors across a 250 mm² die. The transistor count difference is stark, AMD uses more than double the transistors, but the larger process node and bigger die mean those transistors are spread over more than twice the silicon area.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 320 KB of total L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. This is a critical architectural distinction: Intel’s shared L3 cache can reduce latency for frequently accessed data across cores, while AMD’s reliance on larger L1/L2 caches alone may increase memory traffic. Yet the benchmark data shows AMD still wins despite the missing L3, likely because its higher clock speeds and extra physical cores compensate.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the AMD part specifies a dual-channel memory bus with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel datasheet lists no memory bus width or bandwidth figure. The AMD also supports PCIe Gen 3, whereas the Intel’s PCIe capability is not listed. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses HD 5100, AMD uses Radeon R7. The AMD’s desktop segment designation versus Intel’s mobile segment designation further reinforces the architectural intent, AMD built for sustained desktop workloads, Intel for power-constrained mobility.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification gap is core count: Intel offers 2 cores with 4 threads, while AMD offers 4 cores with 4 threads. Both support four logical threads, but AMD’s approach uses four physical cores without SMT, whereas Intel relies on Hyper-Threading to double its two physical cores. Clock speeds favor AMD decisively: 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost versus Intel’s 2.80 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The 0.7 GHz base clock advantage is substantial and directly explains the single-core benchmark wins.

TDP is a major differentiator. The Intel part consumes 28W, while the AMD part consumes 45W, a 17W difference that reflects the AMD’s desktop orientation and the Intel’s mobile focus. Socket types are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1168 (soldered), AMD uses Socket FM2+ (user-replaceable). Process nodes differ as noted: 22nm Intel versus 28nm AMD. The transistor count and die size differences are also listed above. Memory bandwidth is specified for AMD at 34.1 GB/s but not for Intel. PCIe support is Gen 3 on AMD and unspecified on Intel. Market segments differ: Intel targets Mobile, AMD targets Desktop. Production status is active for AMD, while Intel’s is not listed. Release dates differ by over five years: Intel launched June 3, 2013, while AMD launched October 25, 2018. Neither chip has a listed launch MSRP, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4558U has an average benchmark score of 1038, while the AMD A8-7680 scores 1036. The difference is only 0.2%, placing them in the same performance tier.

Q: How much faster is the AMD A8-7680 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD scores 3011 versus Intel’s 2532, a -15.9% difference in favor of the AMD part.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The AMD A8-7680 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from -15.8% to -16.3%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The Intel Core i7-4558U has a TDP of 28W, while the AMD A8-7680 has a TDP of 45W, making the Intel part more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-4558U and the AMD A8-7680 have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-4558U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD A8-7680 has 4 cores and 4 threads. No hyper-threading is listed for the AMD part.