AMD A8-7680 vs Intel Core i7-975 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a remarkably tight contest between these two desktop processors. Across the five Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the AMD A8-7680 claims victory in every single instance, yet the margins are consistently narrow. The A8-7680 wins the multi-core tests by margins between 1.2% and 1.3%, while its single-core advantages range from 1.4% to 1.7%. These are not decisive victories; they are incremental leads that point to a well-matched pairing.

The AMD A8-7680 is the pick for users who need the latest rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3011 against the Intel Core i7-975’s 2974, a 1.2% lead. In the R20 multi-core test, the AMD chip scores 1264 versus 1249, again a 1.2% advantage. The R15 multi-core result shows 303 for AMD against 299 for Intel, a 1.3% edge. For single-threaded tasks, the A8-7680 also takes the lead, posting 425 in R23 single-core versus 419 for the i7-975, and 178 versus 175 in R20 single-core.

The Intel Core i7-975, while losing all head-to-head tests, is not far behind. Its multi-core scores (299 in R15, 1249 in R20, 2974 in R23) are within 1.3% of the AMD part. The Intel chip’s closest rival list includes the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U with an average score of 1024, indicating that the i7-975 still holds its own against much newer hardware in the database’s aggregate metrics. However, in direct comparisons, the A8-7680 takes the win.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from vastly different eras and design philosophies. The AMD A8-7680 is built on the Excavator architecture, codenamed Carrizo, using a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. This is a modern, power-efficient design with a 45 W TDP, making it a low-heat option for Socket FM2+ motherboards. It features 4 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3 cache present. It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. It also includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, which is a significant feature absent from the Intel part. PCIe support is Gen 3, and the chip is not multiplier-unlocked.

In contrast, the Intel Core i7-975 is a relic from the Nehalem generation, codenamed Bloomfield. Manufactured on Intel’s 45 nm process, this chip uses 731 million transistors across a 263 mm² die. It is a much older design, released in June 2009, and is now marked as end-of-life. The i7-975 has four physical cores but supports eight threads via Hyper-Threading, a feature the AMD chip lacks. Its base clock is 3.33 GHz with a boost up to 3.60 GHz. The cache layout differs significantly: 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but it includes a large 8 MB shared L3 cache, something the A8-7680 does not have. The memory controller supports triple-channel DDR3, though the bandwidth is lower at 25.6 GB/s. The Intel chip has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. It uses the older Socket 1366 interface and PCIe Gen 2. It is multiplier-unlocked, offering overclocking potential.

The TDP gap is stark: 45 W for the AMD versus 130 W for the Intel. This means the A8-7680 is far more efficient in terms of power draw, while the i7-975 requires substantial cooling. The AMD’s 16 GB/s higher memory bandwidth comes from its dual-channel design operating at a higher effective rate. The Intel’s triple-channel memory, despite having more channels, is limited by the older DDR3 specification.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded benchmark data, the AMD A8-7680 is the superior processor for every Cinebench workload. It wins all five head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 1.2% to 1.7%. The data shows a consistent, if slight, performance advantage for the AMD part. It also offers integrated graphics, a much lower TDP of 45 W versus 130 W, and a more modern 28 nm process with a newer architecture. The Intel Core i7-975 is the older, end-of-life part with a legacy triple-channel memory design and no integrated GPU.

Users looking for the fastest rendering scores should pick the AMD A8-7680. It is the winner in all recorded benchmarks, and its lower power draw makes it a more practical choice for modern systems. The Intel Core i7-975, while close, loses every test and carries the burden of a 130 W TDP. The fact that the i7-975 is end-of-life and has a launch MSRP of $1059 highlights its historical status, but the current data clearly favors the AMD chip. For any workload measured in this database, the A8-7680 is the better pick.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The AMD A8-7680 scores 425 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i7-975 scores 419. The AMD also leads in R20 single-core with 178 versus 175.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-975 have more threads than the AMD A8-7680?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-975 has 8 threads (4 cores with Hyper-Threading), while the AMD A8-7680 has 4 threads (4 cores without SMT).

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

A: The AMD A8-7680 has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core i7-975 has a TDP of 130 W.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-975 has a shared 8 MB L3 cache, whereas the AMD A8-7680 has no L3 cache. The Intel also has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, while the AMD has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 total.

Q: Does the AMD A8-7680 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD A8-7680 includes the Radeon R7 integrated GPU. The Intel Core i7-975 does not have integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD A8-7680 wins in all multi-core tests: 1264 versus 1249 in Cinebench R20, and 3011 versus 2974 in R23.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the AMD A8-7680, but the margins are remarkably small. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the AMD scores 303 against the Intel’s 299, a 1.3% advantage. This is a close race, but the AMD edges out a win. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar story: 1264 for the AMD versus 1249 for the Intel, a 1.2% delta. The R23 multi-core test sees the AMD at 3011 and the Intel at 2974, again a 1.2% difference.

The single-core tests follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD scores 178 while the Intel scores 175, a 1.7% lead for the AMD. The R23 single-core test shows 425 versus 419, a 1.4% margin. These are consistent wins across the board.

The largest victory for the AMD is in the R20 single-core test, where it leads by 1.7%. The smallest win is in the R20 multi-core and R23 multi-core tests, both at 1.2%. The AMD A8-7680 wins all five benchmarks, posting a 5-0 record. The Intel Core i7-975’s average benchmark score is 1023, while the AMD’s is 1036, reflecting the same narrow edge in the aggregate. The database’s nearest rival list for the AMD includes the Intel Core i7-4558U (1038) and the AMD A10-9700 (1034), showing the A8-7680 sits right in the middle of that pack. For the Intel, its closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U (1024) and the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (1024), showing a similar level of performance. The data is unambiguous: the AMD A8-7680 is the faster processor in every single benchmark test recorded.