CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3520M and AMD FX-8800P are two mobile processors from different eras, and their benchmark results show a surprisingly close contest. The data reveals that the Intel chip wins six of the seven head-to-head comparisons, but the AMD processor takes a significant victory in Geekbench multicore. With both CPUs posting an identical average benchmark score of 843 and landing in the 23rd and 22nd percentiles of all CPUs respectively, the choice between them comes down to workload-specific strengths rather than an overall winner.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story of narrow Intel margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3520M scores 244 against the FX-8800P's 242, a 0.8% lead. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where Intel posts 1018 versus AMD's 1010, again a 0.8% advantage. The newer Cinebench R23 multicore test shows the same trend: Intel scores 2426, AMD scores 2407, with the same 0.8% delta. These are tight margins, but they are consistent across three generations of the Cinebench renderer.

Single-core performance follows a similar script, though the margins vary slightly. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-3520M's 143 edges out the FX-8800P's 142 by 0.7%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 0.9% gap, with Intel at 342 and AMD at 339. The most decisive Intel win comes in Geekbench single-core, where the i7-3520M scores 570 against 524 for the FX-8800P. That is an 8.8% advantage, the largest delta in either direction across the entire benchmark set.

The AMD FX-8800P's lone victory is a substantial one. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 1234 against the i7-3520M's 1156, a 6.3% lead. This is the only benchmark where the AMD part pulls ahead, and it does so by a margin large enough to offset several of the smaller Intel wins in the overall average. The fact that the AMD chip wins Geekbench multicore while losing every Cinebench multicore test suggests the two suites stress different aspects of the processors, with the FX-8800P's four physical cores responding better to Geekbench's specific workload patterns.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, both chips sit within a hair of the Intel Core i7-920, which scores 840 and trails by only 0.3%. The Intel Xeon X5470 scores 839, 0.4% behind, and the Intel Core i5-3380M scores 838, 0.6% behind. This cluster of four CPUs spanning roughly 0.6% in average score indicates that the i7-3520M and FX-8800P are essentially performance equals in aggregate, with workload-specific swings determining the practical winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: Both the Intel Core i7-3520M and AMD FX-8800P have an identical average benchmark score of 843. The nearestRivals data lists the delta between them as 0.1% from the Intel side and 0% from the AMD side, confirming they are statistically tied.

Q: Does the AMD FX-8800P win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes. The FX-8800P wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 1234, which is 6.3% higher than the i7-3520M's 1156. This is the only test the AMD processor wins out of the seven head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in single-core performance?

A: The i7-3520M wins all three single-core tests. In Geekbench single-core it leads by 8.8% (570 vs 524). In Cinebench R20 single-core the lead is 0.7% (143 vs 142), and in Cinebench R23 single-core it is 0.9% (342 vs 339).

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

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD FX-8800P has 4 cores and 4 threads. Despite having half the physical cores, the Intel chip's Hyper-Threading allows it to process 4 threads, matching the AMD part's thread count.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the AMD FX-8800P boosts to 3.40 GHz. The Intel chip also has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz compared to 2.10 GHz for the AMD part.

Q: How do these processors compare in their percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M ranks in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD FX-8800P ranks in the 22nd percentile. This places both processors in the lower quartile of overall CPU performance, consistent with their mobile-oriented designs.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3520M is the clear winner for single-threaded performance and legacy rendering workloads. Its 8.8% advantage in Geekbench single-core makes it the better choice for applications that rely heavily on one core, such as older games, spreadsheet work, and general desktop responsiveness. The consistent, if narrow, wins across all three Cinebench multicore tests (0.8% in R15, R20, and R23) also make it the safer pick for rendering tasks that use the Cinebench engine. The i7-3520M's 2.90 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock give it a frequency advantage that pays off in lightly threaded scenarios.

The AMD FX-8800P wins where raw multi-threaded throughput is measured by Geekbench. Its 6.3% lead in Geekbench multicore suggests it handles parallel workloads with a different efficiency profile than the Cinebench suite captures. The 4-core, 4-thread design at lower clock speeds (2.10 GHz base, 3.40 GHz boost) still manages to outperform the Intel chip in this specific test, likely due to the nature of Geekbench's scaling across physical cores. For users running applications that resemble Geekbench's workload mix, the FX-8800P offers a measurable advantage.

The tie in average benchmark score (843 for both) means neither chip offers a global performance edge. The Intel part wins six benchmarks, the AMD part wins one, but the magnitude of the AMD win (6.3%) is larger than any single Intel victory except for Geekbench single-core (8.8%). The FX-8800P also carries a substantially lower TDP of 15 watts versus the i7-3520M's 35 watts, which makes it attractive for fanless or ultraportable designs where thermals matter more than raw speed.

Specification Differences

The core configurations could hardly be more different. The Intel Core i7-3520M uses 2 cores with 4 threads, while the AMD FX-8800P uses 4 cores with 4 threads. Clock speeds favor Intel: 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost against AMD's 2.10 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The TDP gap is significant, with the Intel part rated at 35 watts and the AMD part at just 15 watts, a difference that directly impacts cooling requirements and battery life in mobile systems.

Cache hierarchies reveal different design philosophies. The i7-3520M has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The FX-8800P has 320 KB of total L1 cache and 1 MB of L2 per module, but no L3 cache at all. This means the Intel chip can rely on a large shared L3 pool, while the AMD part must get by with only its L1 and L2 caches.

Memory support also differs. The AMD FX-8800P lists DDR3 memory support with a dual-channel bus and a rated memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Intel i7-3520M has no memory support field listed in the data, but it does have a dual-channel memory bus. Both processors lack ECC memory support. The FX-8800P also specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while no PCIe information is provided for the Intel chip.

The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel pairs the i7-3520M with HD 4000 graphics, while AMD equips the FX-8800P with Radeon R7 8CU graphics. Both processors are unlocked multipliers and target the mobile market segment. The Intel chip uses the BGA 1023 socket, and the AMD part uses the FP4 socket.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3520M is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. Its die size is 118 mm². The AMD FX-8800P uses the Excavator architecture under the Carrizo codename, fabricated on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The AMD die is substantially larger at 250 mm² and contains 3,100 million transistors, while the Intel die size is listed without a transistor count.

The cache structure differences stem from these architectural choices. Intel's Ivy Bridge design uses a per-core L1 and L2 layout with a shared L3 cache, which is typical of Intel's Core architecture. AMD's Excavator uses a module-based design where L2 cache is allocated per module at 1 MB, and there is no L3 cache present. The FX-8800P has 320 KB of L1 cache total, which reflects its four-core, two-module layout.

The generation naming confirms the timeline: the i7-3520M is listed as Core i7 (Ivy Bridge), while the FX-8800P is listed as FX (Carrizo). The release dates show the Intel chip launched on 2012-06-02, and the AMD chip followed on 2015-06-01. The AMD processor is marked as end-of-life in production status, while no production status is given for the Intel part. The process node advantage belongs to Intel at 22 nm versus AMD's 28 nm, which partially explains how the Intel chip achieves higher clock speeds at a higher TDP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear split based on workload priorities. Choose the Intel Core i7-3520M if you need stronger single-threaded performance and consistent Cinebench rendering results. Its 8.8% Geekbench single-core lead and clean sweep of all Cinebench tests make it the better choice for everyday responsiveness and render workloads. The 2-core/4-thread design with a 3.60 GHz boost clock delivers competitive multi-threaded results despite the lower core count, trailing the AMD part by only 0.8% in Cinebench multicore.

Choose the AMD FX-8800P if your applications resemble Geekbench's multicore workload and you prioritize power efficiency. The 6.3% Geekbench multicore win is the single largest performance advantage in either direction, and the 15-watt TDP is less than half the Intel chip's 35-watt rating. The four physical cores provide a different parallel processing profile that pays off in that specific benchmark. The FX-8800P's end-of-life status and lack of L3 cache are drawbacks, but its lower power envelope and Geekbench multicore performance make it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

For most users, the Intel Core i7-3520M is the safer recommendation due to its broader benchmark wins and superior single-core performance. The AMD FX-8800P is the pick only when Geekbench multicore performance and minimal power draw are the deciding factors. Both processors sit at the same 23rd and 22nd percentiles, so neither offers a meaningful overall advantage in the context of all CPUs.