AMD PRO A10-8750B vs Intel Core i7-870S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD PRO A10-8750B wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-870S. Across five Cinebench tests, the AMD processor claims victory with a narrow but uniform margin, ranging from 7.2% to 7.6%. This consistency across different workload types and Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a test-specific anomaly.

Starting with the multicore results, the AMD PRO A10-8750B scores 254 in Cinebench R15 multicore, beating the Intel Core i7-870S's 236 by 7.6%. That same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where AMD posts 1060 against Intel's 987, a 7.4% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows 2525 for AMD versus 2350 for Intel, again a 7.4% gap. These results are particularly interesting because the Intel chip has 8 threads versus the AMD's 4 threads, suggesting that the AMD's higher clock speeds and newer architecture more than compensate for the thread count disadvantage.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margins are slightly tighter. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD PRO A10-8750B scores 149, while the Intel Core i7-870S manages 139 — a 7.2% difference. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 356 versus 331, a 7.6% lead for AMD. These single-threaded results are critical because they show that the AMD processor's advantage is not simply about scaling across multiple cores; it also wins in scenarios where only one core is active, which often reflects real-world responsiveness in lightly threaded applications.

The overall average benchmark scores reinforce this narrative. The AMD PRO A10-8750B holds an average benchmark score of 821, while the Intel Core i7-870S sits at 809. Both processors land at the 22nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar tier in the broader market, but the AMD chip consistently edges ahead within that tier. When examining the nearest rivals for each, the AMD PRO A10-8750B is closest to the Intel Xeon E5540 (deltaPct of 0.1%), while the Intel Core i7-870S is essentially tied with the AMD A10-6800K (deltaPct of 0%). This placement in the competitive landscape confirms that these are closely matched entrants, with the AMD PRO A10-8750B holding a slight but consistent edge.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the AMD PRO A10-8750B is the clear performance winner in this matchup. It wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins between 7.2% and 7.6% depending on the test. This is not a situation where one chip wins some tests and loses others; the AMD processor dominates across the board, both in single-core and multi-core workloads. If pure benchmark performance is the sole criterion, the choice is unambiguous.

However, the Intel Core i7-870S does offer something the AMD chip cannot match: 8 threads versus 4. While this thread advantage does not translate into benchmark victories in the tested Cinebench workloads, it could theoretically be beneficial in highly parallel applications that scale well beyond 4 threads. The benchmark results, though, show that even in multicore tests, the Intel chip falls behind, meaning whatever thread-count advantage exists is not being realized in these specific workloads.

For users who prioritize the tested Cinebench performance metrics, the AMD PRO A10-8750B is the better choice. Its consistent 7%+ lead across both single and multi-core tests suggests it will deliver faster results in rendering and similar CPU-intensive tasks. The Intel Core i7-870S, with its older Nehalem architecture and lower clock speeds, appears outmatched in these scenarios. The data does not reveal any benchmark category where the Intel chip wins, so there is no performance-based reason to select it based on the available evidence.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is significant, reflecting different design philosophies and manufacturing eras. The AMD PRO A10-8750B uses the Steamroller architecture, part of the Godaveri generation, built on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This newer process node allows for a more compact design: the AMD chip contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-870S uses the much older Nehalem architecture (Lynnfield generation) on a 45 nm process at Intel's fabs, with 774 million transistors spread across a larger 296 mm² die. The transistor density difference is striking — AMD packs roughly three times more transistors into a smaller area.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The AMD PRO A10-8750B has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel Core i7-870S, by contrast, has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has a larger total cache hierarchy, which could theoretically help with data reuse, though the benchmark results suggest this does not overcome the AMD processor's other advantages.

The integrated graphics situation is another key differentiator. The AMD PRO A10-8750B includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, while the Intel Core i7-870S has no integrated graphics whatsoever. This makes the AMD chip a more complete package for systems that do not use a discrete graphics card. Additionally, the AMD processor supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip only supports PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes. The newer PCIe standard offers higher bandwidth for compatible devices, though the practical impact depends on the specific hardware used.

Specification Differences

Several specification fields differ between these two processors, and these differences help explain the performance gap observed in benchmarks. Clock speeds are a major distinction: the AMD PRO A10-8750B has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-870S operates at 2.67 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The AMD chip's higher clocks, particularly the 4.00 GHz boost, likely contribute significantly to its benchmark wins.

Power consumption tells a mixed story. The AMD PRO A10-8750B has a TDP of 95 watts, while the Intel Core i7-870S consumes less at 82 watts. This means the Intel chip is more power-efficient in terms of rated thermal design power, but it also delivers lower performance. The AMD chip's higher TDP is the cost of its higher clock speeds and newer architecture.

Memory support is another area of difference. Both processors support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the AMD chip has a rated memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. This could indicate that the AMD processor has a memory bandwidth advantage, though without an Intel figure, the comparison is incomplete. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The sockets are entirely incompatible: the AMD PRO A10-8750B uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the Intel Core i7-870S uses Intel Socket 1156. This means any system upgrade between these two would require a new motherboard. The release dates also differ substantially, with the Intel chip launching in 2010 and the AMD chip in 2015, though both are now end-of-life products. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8750B scores 2525 in Cinebench R23 multicore, beating the Intel Core i7-870S's 2350 by a margin of 7.4%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-870S have more threads than the AMD PRO A10-8750B?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-870S has 8 threads versus 4 threads on the AMD PRO A10-8750B. Both processors have 4 cores, but Intel uses Hyper-Threading to double the thread count.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8750B scores 356 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i7-870S scores 331, giving the AMD chip a 7.6% advantage.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD PRO A10-8750B has integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon R7 GPU. The Intel Core i7-870S has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare between the two?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8750B has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i7-870S has a base clock of 2.67 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile overall?

A: Yes, both the AMD PRO A10-8750B and the Intel Core i7-870S are at the 22nd percentile among all CPUs, though the AMD chip has a higher average benchmark score of 821 versus 809.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A10-8750B wins every benchmark category tested, but the nature of those wins suggests specific use cases where it shines. Its consistent 7.2% to 7.6% advantage in both single-core and multicore Cinebench tests makes it the better choice for rendering workloads, CPU-intensive productivity tasks, and any application that relies on raw processing speed. The higher clock speeds — 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost — give it a clear edge in tasks where clock speed matters most, such as gaming with a discrete GPU, general desktop responsiveness, and software compilation. The integrated Radeon R7 graphics also make it a viable option for basic display output without a dedicated graphics card, which could be useful for office systems or home theater PCs.

The Intel Core i7-870S, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, has some theoretical advantages worth noting. Its 8 threads could be beneficial in workloads that are specifically optimized for high thread counts and where the Nehalem architecture's scheduling works well. The 8 MB of shared L3 cache is a larger pool than the AMD chip's 4 MB L2-only configuration, which might help in certain data-intensive scenarios where cache locality is critical. Its lower TDP of 82 watts versus 95 watts means it draws less power under load, which could be relevant for systems with limited cooling or small form factor builds. However, the data does not show any benchmark where this translates into a performance win.

For most users looking at these two processors, the benchmark evidence points firmly toward the AMD PRO A10-8750B. It is faster in every measured category, has a newer architecture, includes integrated graphics, and supports the newer PCIe Gen 3 standard. The Intel chip's only advantages are its lower power draw and higher thread count, but neither appears to deliver a performance benefit in the tested workloads. The decision ultimately comes down to whether those secondary factors outweigh the AMD processor's consistent benchmark superiority, and for most applications, the data suggests the AMD chip is the more capable performer.