CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a sharply split picture between the AMD FX-9830P and the Intel Core i7-5600U. Across the seven head-to-head tests, the AMD part wins five, while the Intel part takes two. However, the margins of victory tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In the Cinebench suite, the AMD FX-9830P holds a consistent and decisive edge. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 282 against the Intel's 255, a 10.6% advantage. That exact 10.6% delta repeats across Cinebench R20 multi-core (1178 vs 1065), Cinebench R23 multi-core (2806 vs 2537), and Cinebench R23 single-core (396 vs 358). The single-core margin in Cinebench R20 is nearly identical at 10.7%, with scores of 166 and 150. These are not isolated flukes; the consistency of the 10.6% delta across four different Cinebench workloads indicates a systematic performance advantage in that test suite.

The Intel Core i7-5600U's wins come in Geekbench, and they are substantial. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel scores 1750 against the AMD's 1606, an 8.2% lead. The single-core result is far more lopsided: the Intel scores 917 while the AMD manages only 605, making the Intel part 34% faster in that specific test. This 34% gap is the largest single delta in the entire comparison, dwarfing any of the AMD's margins.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the two processors are effectively tied. The AMD FX-9830P has an average benchmark score of 1006, and the Intel Core i7-5600U sits at 1005. Both occupy the 27th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for each confirm this parity: the AMD's closest competitor on average score is the Intel Core i7-880 at 1006 with 0% delta, while the Intel's closest is the Intel Core i7-2630QM at 1005 with 0% delta. Notably, each processor appears as a nearest rival to the other, with the AMD showing a -0.1% delta relative to the Intel and the Intel showing a -0.1% delta relative to the AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clean functional split. The AMD FX-9830P dominates the Cinebench family of tests, which are heavily threaded rendering workloads. Across all four Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both multi-core and single-core), the AMD leads by roughly 10.6% to 10.7%. This includes both multi-core rendering and single-core rendering within that benchmark suite. If a workload resembles Cinebench's rendering engine, the AMD FX-9830P is the stronger choice by a consistent margin.

The Intel Core i7-5600U wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. The 34% lead in Geekbench single-core is a massive gap that suggests the Intel architecture is significantly stronger at lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, at least as measured by that benchmark. The 8.2% lead in Geekbench multi-core is more modest but still clear. The Intel also wins on power characteristics, with a 15W TDP versus the AMD's 35W TDP, though that is a specification difference rather than a benchmark result.

For workloads that resemble Geekbench's test patterns, the Intel Core i7-5600U is the better performer. For workloads that resemble Cinebench's rendering patterns, the AMD FX-9830P holds the advantage. The two processors are not interchangeable; they excel in different domains.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: choose the AMD FX-9830P for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, and choose the Intel Core i7-5600U for Geekbench-style single-threaded tasks. The AMD wins five of seven benchmarks, but the Intel wins the two that matter most for single-core responsiveness.

The overall average benchmark score is a virtual tie, 1006 for the AMD versus 1005 for the Intel, and both sit at the 27th percentile globally. Neither processor is a clear overall winner. The AMD's advantage in Cinebench is uniform at about 10.6%, which is meaningful but not overwhelming. The Intel's advantage in Geekbench single-core is enormous at 34%, suggesting that for any application that is primarily single-threaded, the Intel part will feel substantially faster.

The Intel Core i7-5600U also carries a launch MSRP of $393, which can be stated as a point of reference, but the AMD FX-9830P has no launch MSRP listed in the data. The Intel also consumes less power at 15W versus 35W TDP, though this is a specification, not a performance metric.

For a user prioritizing multi-core rendering performance in the Cinebench mold, the AMD FX-9830P is the pick. For a user prioritizing single-core speed and Geekbench-style responsiveness, the Intel Core i7-5600U is the pick. For general-purpose use where neither benchmark suite dominates, the data suggests either processor will perform at a similar overall level.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD FX-9830P wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-5600U wins 2.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in any single test?

A: The Intel Core i7-5600U leads by 34% in Geekbench single-core, scoring 917 versus the AMD's 605.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD FX-9830P has an average benchmark score of 1006, and the Intel Core i7-5600U has 1005, a difference of 1 point.

Q: In which benchmark suite does the AMD FX-9830P consistently lead?

A: The AMD leads in all Cinebench tests, with deltas of 10.6% or 10.7% across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core.

Q: What percentile do both processors occupy among all CPUs?

A: Both the AMD FX-9830P and the Intel Core i7-5600U are at the 27th percentile.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD FX-9830P has a 35W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-5600U has a 15W TDP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The AMD FX-9830P uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge, built on a 28nm process at GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-5600U uses the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell-U, built on a 14nm process at Intel. It integrates 1,300 million transistors on a much smaller 82 mm² die.

The AMD part has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel part has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD's cache structure is organized as 320 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per module, with no L3 cache listed. The Intel features 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This cache difference is significant: the Intel has a shared L3 cache, while the AMD has none listed.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD FX-9830P supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-5600U supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ: the AMD packs a Radeon R7 8CU, while the Intel uses Intel HD 5500. The AMD also has a different socket (Socket FP4) versus the Intel's BGA 1168. The AMD supports PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the Intel supports PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes. Both are mobile market segments and are end-of-life production.

Specification Differences

The base clocks differ: the AMD FX-9830P runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, while the Intel Core i7-5600U runs at 2.60 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The TDP difference is notable, with the AMD at 35W and the Intel at 15W.

The process nodes are 28nm for the AMD and 14nm for the Intel. Transistor counts are 3,100 million versus 1,300 million. Die sizes are 250 mm² versus 82 mm². The AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads; the Intel has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Cache configurations differ substantially: the AMD lists 320 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per module with no L3, while the Intel lists 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support differs as DDR4 versus DDR3, with bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s.

The integrated graphics are Radeon R7 8CU on the AMD and Intel HD 5500 on the Intel. Sockets differ as AMD Socket FP4 versus Intel BGA 1168. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 8 lanes on the AMD versus Gen 2 with 12 lanes on the Intel. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $393, while the AMD has none listed. Part numbers are FM983PAEY44AB for the AMD and SR23V for the Intel. Release dates are 2016-05-30 for the AMD and 2015-02-28 for the Intel.