AMD PRO A10-8850B vs Intel Core i7-4610M Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B scores 3189 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 16% higher than the Intel Core i7-4610M's 2750. This is the largest multi-core gap between the two in the benchmark set.

Q: How do these two CPUs compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B leads in every single-core test, with a 16.7% advantage in Cinebench R20 single-core (189 vs 162) and a 16% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core (450 vs 388). The Intel part does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head data.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B has an average benchmark score of 1098, while the Intel Core i7-4610M averages 1094. The AMD part sits at the 31st percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel part at the 30th.

Q: Which processor has a higher core count?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B has 4 physical cores, whereas the Intel Core i7-4610M has 2 physical cores. Both support 4 threads total.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications for each?

A: The AMD PRO A10-8850B supports dual-channel DDR3 with 34.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Intel Core i7-4610M also supports dual-channel DDR3 but with 25.6 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Is there a launch MSRP for either processor?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-4610M has a listed launch MSRP of $346. The AMD PRO A10-8850B has no launch MSRP in the data.

---

Architecture Differences

The AMD PRO A10-8850B and Intel Core i7-4610M come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD part uses the Steamroller architecture on the Godaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 245 mm² and 2,411 million transistors. The Intel part uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 131 mm² and 960 million transistors. The AMD chip is physically much larger, reflecting its four-core layout and integrated Radeon R7 graphics.

The core configurations differ sharply: AMD provides 4 physical cores with 4 threads, while Intel provides 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The AMD part has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip relies on a shared L3 pool to compensate for fewer physical cores, while the AMD chip uses a larger L2 but no L3.

The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon R7, while Intel includes HD 4600. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, but AMD's memory bandwidth is higher at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. The TDP gap is substantial — the AMD processor draws 95 W, while the Intel processor draws only 37 W, reflecting the latter's mobile market focus. The AMD part uses Socket FM2+, the Intel part uses Socket G3. Both are end-of-life parts, with the AMD released on 2015-09-28 and the Intel on 2014-01-31. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

---

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD PRO A10-8850B wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the Intel Core i7-4610M wins none. The AMD part's biggest victory comes in single-core performance. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 189 against Intel's 162, a 16.7% advantage. That lead carries over to Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD's 450 beats Intel's 388 by 16%. This is notable because single-core performance is typically a strength of Intel's Haswell architecture, yet the AMD part's higher 3.90 GHz base clock and 4.10 GHz boost clock appear to overcome any architectural advantage.

In multi-core workloads, the AMD's four physical cores provide a consistent edge. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows AMD at 321 versus Intel's 277, a 15.9% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the exact same 15.9% gap, with AMD at 1339 and Intel at 1155. Cinebench R23 multi-core rounds out the set with AMD at 3189 and Intel at 2750, a 16% difference. The consistency across all three multi-core tests is striking — the delta stays within a narrow band of 15.9% to 16%, suggesting the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

The Intel part does have a Geekbench score in the data — 1903 multi-core and 1024 single-core — but no Geekbench result is listed for the AMD part, so no direct comparison is possible there. What the data does show is that the AMD part's average benchmark score of 1098 slightly edges out Intel's 1094, and both sit near the 30th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3 at an identical 1098 average score, while the Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-4600M at 1093, just 0.1% behind.

---

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD PRO A10-8850B is the faster processor in this comparison, winning every head-to-head benchmark by a margin of roughly 16%. If raw performance is the only criterion, the AMD part is the pick. Its four physical cores provide a consistent multi-threaded advantage, and its higher clock speeds deliver a single-core lead that is unusual for an AMD part of this era.

However, the verdict is not one-dimensional. The Intel Core i7-4610M has a TDP of 37 W compared to AMD's 95 W, making it a much more power-efficient choice for mobile or thermally constrained systems. The Intel part also has a launch MSRP of $346, while the AMD part has no listed price. The Intel chip's smaller die size (131 mm² vs 245 mm²) and lower transistor count (960 million vs 2,411 million) indicate a more efficient design per unit of silicon.

For desktop users who prioritize performance and have adequate cooling, the AMD PRO A10-8850B is the better choice based on benchmark results. For mobile users or those with strict power budgets, the Intel Core i7-4610M offers competitive performance at less than half the TDP, though it loses every benchmark in this dataset. The 31st percentile for AMD versus 30th for Intel reflects the narrow overall gap, but the head-to-head wins are decisive.

---

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD PRO A10-8850B | Intel Core i7-4610M |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 37 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | Intel Socket G3 |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Haswell |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | 960 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 131 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 256 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | None | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2015-09-28 | 2014-01-31 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $346 |

| Part Number | AD885BXBI44JC | SR1KY |

---

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A10-8850B wins in every benchmark category represented in the head-to-head data. It is the better choice for multi-threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, or any application that scales with core count — its four physical cores deliver a 15.9% to 16% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. It also wins in single-core tasks, where its higher base and boost clocks (3.90 GHz and 4.10 GHz) produce a 16% to 16.7% lead over the Intel part. Users running office productivity, web browsing, or light content creation will find the AMD part consistently faster.

The Intel Core i7-4610M wins in efficiency and thermal footprint. Its 37 W TDP is less than 40% of the AMD part's 95 W, making it the only sensible choice for thin-and-light laptops or small-form-factor systems where heat dissipation and battery life are priorities. The Intel part's shared 4 MB L3 cache may also benefit latency-sensitive workloads in ways not captured by Cinebench, though the data does not include such tests. For users who already own a Socket G3 motherboard, the Intel part offers a drop-in upgrade path, whereas the AMD part requires an FM2+ platform.

In terms of overall benchmark standing, the AMD part sits at the 31st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part is at the 30th — essentially tied in the broader landscape. But the head-to-head results are lopsided: 5 wins for AMD, 0 for Intel. The data shows that if performance is the goal, the AMD PRO A10-8850B is the superior processor; if power efficiency is the goal, the Intel Core i7-4610M is the only option that makes sense.