AMD A8-9600 vs AMD Ryzen 7 3700U Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and AMD A8-9600 are two very different processors that land in the same performance tier according to aggregate data, yet their individual benchmark results tell a story of stark contrasts. The Ryzen 7 3700U, a mobile chip built on Zen+, delivers a dominant multi-core performance advantage over the desktop A8-9600, which relies on the older Excavator architecture. While both CPUs share a 26th percentile ranking among all CPUs, the 3700U’s 139.1% lead in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test demonstrates a generational leap that the A8-9600 cannot match, despite its higher base clock speed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 968, compared to the AMD A8-9600’s 962. This places the 3700U in a virtual tie with the Intel Core i5-2400S (968) and Intel Xeon X5570 (967), while the A8-9600 is within 0.5% of the Intel Celeron N5100 (966).

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering performance?

A: In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672, which is 139.1% higher than the A8-9600’s score of 281. This is the only shared benchmark between the two, and it shows a massive advantage for the 3700U in multi-threaded workloads.

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

A: Both processors feature 4 physical cores, but the Ryzen 7 3700U supports 8 threads via Simultaneous Multi-Threading, while the A8-9600 supports only 4 threads. This means the 3700U can process twice as many threads simultaneously.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts, making it an ultra-low-power mobile part. The A8-9600 has a TDP of 65 watts, which is over four times higher, reflecting its desktop-oriented design and older architecture.

Q: Do both processors feature integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both have integrated graphics, but they differ: the Ryzen 7 3700U uses a Radeon Vega 10, while the A8-9600 uses a Radeon R7. The data does not provide comparative performance metrics for these iGPUs.

Q: Which CPU is newer and what process node does it use?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700U was released in January 2019 and uses a 12 nm process node, while the A8-9600 was released in July 2017 and uses a 28 nm node. The 3700U’s smaller node allows for significant efficiency gains.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ fundamentally in their intended platforms and power envelopes. The Ryzen 7 3700U is a mobile processor using the AMD Socket FP5, while the A8-9600 is a desktop part that fits the AMD Socket AM4. The 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts versus 65 watts for the A8-9600.

Clock speeds also differ: the A8-9600 has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz, but the 3700U has a significantly higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.40 GHz on the A8-9600. Thread counts diverge, with the 3700U offering 8 threads against the A8-9600’s 4. The 3700U also has a larger cache configuration, including 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3, whereas the A8-9600 has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 with no L3 cache. The A8-9600 lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the 3700U does not have a listed bandwidth figure. The A8-9600’s PCIe support is limited to 8 lanes on the CPU, while the 3700U supports PCIe Gen 3 without a lane restriction noted. Finally, the part numbers differ: YM370BC4T4MFG for the 3700U and AD9600AGABBOXAD9600AGM44AB for the A8-9600.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 7 3700U is built on the Zen+ architecture (codename Picasso), fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The A8-9600 uses the Excavator architecture (codename Bristol Ridge), built on a 28 nm process, also at GlobalFoundries, with 3,100 million transistors on a larger 250 mm² die.

Cache hierarchies are fundamentally different. The 3700U uses a per-core layout with 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. The A8-9600 uses a pooled layout with 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, with no L3 cache at all. The Ryzen 7 3700U is a Ryzen 7 generation part, while the A8-9600 belongs to the A8 generation.

The 3700U’s integrated graphics is the Radeon Vega 10, whereas the A8-9600 carries the Radeon R7. The 3700U supports DDR4 memory across a dual-channel bus, as does the A8-9600, but the A8-9600 explicitly lists 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The 3700U is marketed as a Mobile segment chip, while the A8-9600 is a Desktop segment chip. The transistor count difference (4,940 million vs 3,100 million) and process node advantage (12 nm vs 28 nm) highlight the architectural leap between the two.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner in raw multi-core performance: the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 672 is over double the A8-9600’s 281, a 139.1% improvement. For users running threaded applications like video rendering or compilation, the 3700U is the obvious choice, provided the mobile form factor is acceptable.

The A8-9600, however, has its own niche. It is a desktop part with a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz, which may appeal to users who need a low-cost, basic desktop CPU with integrated Radeon R7 graphics. Its single-core performance in newer tests, such as the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 394, suggests it can handle lighter tasks adequately. The A8-9600 also has a lower average benchmark score of 962, but it is within 0.6% of the 3700U’s 968, meaning that in mixed workloads, the difference is negligible.

Benchmark results indicate that those needing maximum multi-threaded throughput should pick the 3700U, while those constrained to a desktop socket and needing a simple, functional chip might choose the A8-9600, accepting its severe multi-core deficit. The 3700U’s 4.00 GHz boost clock also provides a single-core advantage in the shared Cinebench R15 single-core test, where it scores 139 against the A8-9600’s lack of a comparable score in that specific test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison available is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. Here, the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672, while the A8-9600 scores 281. The delta is 139.1%, meaning the 3700U is nearly two and a half times faster in this multi-threaded rendering workload. This outcome is driven by the 3700U’s 8 threads against the A8-9600’s 4 threads, as well as its superior Zen+ architecture and 4 MB L3 cache.

In other benchmark categories, the data is not directly comparable because the two CPUs do not share the same tests. The A8-9600 has scores for Cinebench R20 and R23, where it achieves 1174 multi-core and 165 single-core in R20, and 2797 multi-core and 394 single-core in R23. The Ryzen 7 3700U has Geekbench scores of 2377 multi-core and 682 single-core, plus Cinebench R15 single-core at 139. These numbers cannot be directly compared across different test suites, but they do show that the 3700U has a higher single-core Geekbench score (682) than the A8-9600’s Cinebench R20 single-core (165), though the tests are not equivalent.

The wins tally is 1 for the 3700U and 0 for the A8-9600, based solely on the shared Cinebench R15 multi-core test. This asymmetry underscores the 3700U’s dominance in the only head-to-head metric available.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 3700U wins decisively in multi-threaded workloads. Its 139.1% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core makes it the superior choice for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and any application that scales with thread count. Its 8 threads and 4 MB L3 cache provide a structural advantage that the A8-9600 cannot overcome. Additionally, its 15-watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, where power efficiency is paramount.

The A8-9600 wins in scenarios where a desktop socket is required and power consumption is not a primary concern. Its 65-watt TDP and AM4 socket make it a drop-in option for budget desktop builds, and its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz may yield better responsiveness in single-threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, though no direct benchmark confirms this. Its Radeon R7 integrated graphics could serve basic desktop use, while the 3700U’s Radeon Vega 10 is likely more capable, but comparative iGPU data is absent.

For users who prioritize multi-core performance and mobility, the 3700U is the clear pick. For those who need a simple desktop processor with a higher base clock and do not require heavy multi-threading, the A8-9600 remains a functional option, despite its older architecture and lower overall scores in the shared test. The average benchmark scores (968 vs 962) suggest that in general-purpose tasks, the two are nearly equivalent, but the 3700U’s peak performance in threaded workloads is unmatched by the A8-9600.