AMD A8-7680 vs Intel Core i7-5650U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD A8-7680 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-5650U. Across five Cinebench tests, the AMD part holds a consistent lead ranging from 18.4% to 18.7%, a remarkably stable margin that suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the A8-7680 scores 303 against the i7-5650U's 256, a delta of 18.4%. The R20 multicore test shows the same pattern: 1264 for AMD versus 1067 for Intel, an 18.5% advantage. The R23 multicore result repeats this, with 3011 against 2542, again an 18.5% gap. The consistency across three generations of Cinebench multicore tests is striking; the AMD processor maintains nearly the exact same percentage lead regardless of workload intensity.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the A8-7680 posts 178 versus 150 for the i7-5650U, an 18.7% edge. The R23 single-core test shows 425 against 358, again an 18.7% delta. This is noteworthy because the Intel Core i7-5650U carries a higher maximum boost clock relative to its base, yet it still trails the AMD part in single-threaded rendering workloads.

The average benchmark score reinforces this picture. The A8-7680 averages 1036 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i7-5650U averages 1027. Interestingly, both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning that despite the A8-7680's consistent head-to-head wins, the two parts occupy a similar overall performance tier. The nearest rivals for the A8-7680 include the AMD A10-7890K (average score 1035, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i7-4558U (1038, delta -0.2%), and the AMD A10-9700 (1034, delta 0.2%). The i7-5650U's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B (1027, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i3-4340 (1026, delta 0.1%). This places both chips within a narrow performance band, even though the direct comparison favors AMD.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD A8-7680 is the faster processor in every benchmark category recorded in this database. Its wins span multicore and single-core workloads, and the margin is consistent at roughly 18.5% across the board. For any user prioritizing raw Cinebench rendering performance, the A8-7680 is the superior choice based on these measurements alone.

However, the selection is not purely about performance numbers. The Intel Core i7-5650U is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, while the AMD A8-7680 is a desktop part with a 45 W TDP. This threefold difference in power envelope explains much of the performance gap; the AMD chip simply has more thermal headroom to work with. The i7-5650U also carries a recorded launch MSRP of $426, a detail that may matter for procurement decisions, though the database does not indicate the A8-7680's launch price.

The i7-5650U is also end-of-life in terms of production status, while the A8-7680 remains active. For system builders looking at new production runs, the AMD part has the advantage of ongoing availability. For those working with existing mobile platforms, the i7-5650U remains a functional option, but the benchmark data shows it will trail the A8-7680 in rendering tasks.

Users who need single-threaded performance for lightly threaded applications will find the A8-7680 ahead here as well, with an 18.7% lead in both R20 and R23 single-core tests. There is no workload category in the recorded data where the i7-5650U comes out ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multicore performance?

A: The AMD A8-7680 wins all recorded multicore tests. In Cinebench R15 it scores 303 versus 256, in R20 it scores 1264 versus 1067, and in R23 it scores 3011 versus 2542. The margin is 18.4% to 18.5% depending on the test.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD A8-7680 leads by 18.7% in both Cinebench R20 single-core (178 versus 150) and R23 single-core (425 versus 358).

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD A8-7680 has an average benchmark score of 1036, while the Intel Core i7-5650U averages 1027. Both sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD A8-7680 has a 45 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-5650U has a 15 W TDP.

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel Core i7-5650U wins?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD A8-7680 wins all five tests, with the Intel part trailing by 18.4% to 18.7% in each case.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD A8-7680 is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-5650U is listed as End-of-life.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The AMD A8-7680 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5650U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the A8-7680 runs at 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, whereas the i7-5650U runs at 2.20 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost.

Thermal design power shows the biggest gap: 45 W for the AMD part versus 15 W for the Intel part. The sockets are incompatible: the A8-7680 uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the i7-5650U uses Intel BGA 1168. The A8-7680 is a desktop-market part, while the i7-5650U targets mobile.

Memory bandwidth also differs, with the A8-7680 rated at 34.1 GB/s and the i7-5650U at 29.9 GB/s, both using dual-channel DDR3. The PCIe implementation differs as well: the A8-7680 supports PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-5650U supports PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ, with the A8-7680 featuring Radeon R7 and the i7-5650U featuring Intel HD 6000. The i7-5650U has a recorded launch MSRP of $426; the A8-7680's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database.

Release dates are also far apart. The Intel part was released on 2015-02-28, while the AMD part arrived on 2018-10-25.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is substantial. The AMD A8-7680 uses the Excavator architecture under the Carrizo codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-5650U uses the Broadwell architecture under the Broadwell-U codename, built on a 14 nm process at Intel, with 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die. The smaller process node gives Intel a density advantage, but the AMD chip uses more transistors overall.

Cache configurations differ completely. The A8-7680 has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. The i7-5650U has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's L3 cache is a meaningful addition for workloads that benefit from shared cache, though the benchmark data does not show it translating into a win.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The A8-7680's part numbers are AD7680ACABBOX and AD7680ACABCBX, while the i7-5650U's part number is SR267. The production status differs, with the A8-7680 still Active and the i7-5650U marked End-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A8-7680 wins in every recorded benchmark category. In multicore rendering, it leads by 18.4% to 18.5% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. In single-core tests, it leads by 18.7% in both R20 and R23. For any use case that involves Cinebench-style rendering workloads, whether multithreaded or single-threaded, the A8-7680 is the faster choice.

The Intel Core i7-5650U does not win any recorded benchmark, but it does have advantages in other recorded dimensions. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for thermally constrained mobile environments, whereas the 45 W A8-7680 is a desktop part with higher power requirements. The i7-5650U also has a smaller die (133 mm² versus 250 mm²) and a smaller process node (14 nm versus 28 nm), which historically correlates with better power efficiency, though the database does not record efficiency metrics.

For users choosing between these two for a new system, the data supports the A8-7680 on performance grounds. The i7-5650U remains relevant only for those bound to its mobile platform or its specific socket, and even then, the benchmark results show a consistent performance deficit. The A8-7680's active production status further strengthens its case for new builds, while the i7-5650U's end-of-life status makes it a less attractive long-term investment.