AMD PRO A10-8750B vs Intel Core i7-3520M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results between the Intel Core i7-3520M and the AMD PRO A10-8750B show a split decision that depends heavily on which workload is being measured. The AMD processor wins five of the seven recorded tests, but the Intel part takes the two most decisive victories.

In Cinebench tests, the AMD PRO A10-8750B consistently edges out the Intel chip by narrow margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 254 against Intel's 244, a 3.9% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: AMD at 1060 versus Intel at 1018, a 4% lead. Single-core results in Cinebench R20 also favor AMD, with 149 versus 143 (4% ahead). The Cinebench R23 results follow the same trend: multi-core sees AMD at 2525 versus Intel at 2426 (3.9% ahead), and single-core sees AMD at 356 versus Intel at 342 (3.9% ahead).

The picture flips dramatically in Geekbench. The Intel Core i7-3520M scores 1156 in Geekbench multi-core versus AMD's 985, a 17.4% lead. In Geekbench single-core, Intel's advantage grows to 37%, scoring 570 versus 416. These are substantial gaps, not marginal differences.

Looking at overall averages, the Intel chip has an average benchmark score of 843, while the AMD part sits at 821. The Intel processor ranks at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, and the AMD processor ranks at the 22nd percentile. These are close overall positions, but the nature of their wins differs sharply: AMD wins by small margins in Cinebench, while Intel wins by large margins in Geekbench.

The nearest rivals in the database provide additional context. The Intel i7-3520M's closest competitor is the AMD FX-8800P, with an average score of 843 and a delta of just 0.1%. The AMD PRO A10-8750B's closest rival is the Intel Xeon E5540, with an average score of 820 and a 0.1% delta. Both processors sit in a crowded performance tier where a few points separate many parts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and target different market segments. The Intel Core i7-3520M is a mobile processor built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It has a die size of 118 mm². The AMD PRO A10-8750B is a desktop part based on the Steamroller architecture (codename Godaveri), built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 245 mm² and 2,411 million transistors.

Core counts differ significantly. The Intel chip has 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads. The AMD chip has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with no SMT equivalent. This explains why AMD holds a slight edge in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, despite the Intel chip's higher single-thread efficiency per core.

Cache layouts are distinct. The Intel i7-3520M has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD PRO A10-8750B has 256 KB of L1 total, 4 MB of L2, and no L3 cache at all. The AMD part compensates for the absence of L3 with a larger unified L2 pool.

Clock speeds favor AMD on paper. The Intel chip runs at a 2.90 GHz base clock with a 3.60 GHz boost. The AMD part has a 3.60 GHz base clock and a 4.00 GHz boost. However, the AMD processor has a 95 W TDP, while the Intel mobile part is rated at only 35 W. That power envelope difference reflects the Intel chip's mobile purpose and the AMD chip's desktop orientation.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD PRO A10-8750B supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Intel chip also uses dual-channel memory, but the database does not record a bandwidth figure. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The AMD part has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip's PCIe configuration is not recorded.

Integrated graphics differ: the Intel chip carries Intel HD 4000, while the AMD part has Radeon R7. Both can handle basic display output, but the database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks. The AMD chip was released on 2015-09-28 and is marked end-of-life, while the Intel chip was released on 2012-06-02.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each processor. The AMD PRO A10-8750B wins 5 of 7 head-to-head tests, but its victories are narrow, all within 4% of the Intel chip. The Intel Core i7-3520M wins only 2 tests, but those wins are decisive: 17.4% in Geekbench multi-core and 37% in Geekbench single-core.

If your workload is built around Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the AMD part delivers a consistent, if modest, edge. Every Cinebench iteration, from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core, lands with the AMD processor ahead by roughly 4%. That consistency across multiple versions suggests the AMD architecture handles those workloads slightly better.

If your workload involves Geekbench-style tasks, the Intel chip is clearly superior. A 37% single-core advantage is not a small difference; it reflects a substantial gap in per-thread performance. The Intel chip's 2 cores with 4 threads apparently execute single-threaded code much more efficiently than AMD's 4 physical cores.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: Intel at 843 versus AMD at 821. The Intel chip also sits at a slightly higher percentile (23rd versus 22nd). For users who need maximum performance in mixed workloads, the Intel part's strong Geekbench results may outweigh AMD's narrow Cinebench wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8750B has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i7-3520M has 2 cores. However, the Intel chip supports 4 threads through Hyper-Threading, matching AMD's thread count.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the Intel chip scores 570 versus AMD's 416, a 37% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap reverses slightly: AMD scores 356 versus Intel's 342, a 3.9% lead.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8750B has a 3.60 GHz base clock and a 4.00 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core i7-3520M runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD PRO A10-8750B has a 95 W TDP. The Intel chip is designed for mobile systems, and the AMD part is a desktop processor.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the Intel Core i7-3520M nor the AMD PRO A10-8750B supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3520M has an average benchmark score of 843, compared to the AMD PRO A10-8750B's 821. The Intel chip also ranks at the 23rd percentile versus AMD's 22nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A10-8750B is the pick for Cinebench-style rendering workloads. It wins all five Cinebench tests recorded in the database: R15 multi-core (254 vs 244), R20 multi-core (1060 vs 1018), R20 single-core (149 vs 143), R23 multi-core (2525 vs 2426), and R23 single-core (356 vs 342). The margins are consistent at roughly 4% across every iteration, which suggests a stable architectural advantage for those tasks. If your primary use is 3D rendering or other Cinebench-like workloads, the AMD part gives you a small but repeatable edge.

The Intel Core i7-3520M is the clear winner for Geekbench-style workloads. The multi-core score of 1156 versus 985 gives Intel a 17.4% lead, and the single-core score of 570 versus 416 gives a 37% lead. These are not marginal wins; they are dominant margins that indicate the Intel architecture executes those workloads far more efficiently. For general-purpose computing, office applications, web browsing, or any task where single-thread responsiveness matters, the Intel chip is the stronger choice.

The power envelope also matters for system design. The Intel chip's 35 W TDP makes it suitable for compact mobile systems, while the AMD part's 95 W TDP requires desktop-class cooling and power delivery. The AMD chip does offer 4 physical cores, which may help in specific workloads that scale with core count but not with threads, though the benchmark data does not isolate that variable.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category:

• Cores: Intel has 2, AMD has 4.
• Threads: Both have 4.
• Base clock: Intel 2.90 GHz, AMD 3.60 GHz.
• Boost clock: Intel 3.60 GHz, AMD 4.00 GHz.
• TDP: Intel 35 W, AMD 95 W.
• Socket: Intel BGA 1023, AMD Socket FM2+.
• Architecture: Ivy Bridge, Steamroller.
• Process node: 22 nm, 28 nm.
• Foundry: Intel, GlobalFoundries.
• Die size: 118 mm², 245 mm².
• Transistors: Not recorded for Intel, 2,411 million for AMD.
• L1 cache: Intel 64 KB per core, AMD 256 KB total.
• L2 cache: Intel 256 KB per core, AMD 4 MB.
• L3 cache: Intel 4 MB shared, AMD none.
• Memory support: Not recorded for Intel, DDR3 for AMD.
• Memory bandwidth: Not recorded for Intel, 34.1 GB/s for AMD.
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4000, Radeon R7.
• Market segment: Mobile, Desktop.
• Release date: 2012-06-02, 2015-09-28.
• Production status: Not recorded for Intel, End-of-life for AMD.
• Part number: SR0MU, AD875BYBI44JC.

The Intel chip is smaller, cooler, and more efficient per watt. The AMD chip is larger, hotter, and physically bigger, but it offers more cores and higher clock speeds. Choose based on workload, not raw specs.