AMD PRO A10-9700 vs AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U Comparison

The data shows a decisive generational victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U, which outperforms the AMD PRO A10-9700 in the only directly comparable benchmark, despite the desktop chip's higher base clock and TDP. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U wins the sole head-to-head test by a massive 53.5% margin, while the A10-9700 fails to register a single win in the available comparison data. Both processors sit at the 29th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they belong to the same overall performance tier, but the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U achieves this with far superior efficiency and newer architecture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only overlapping benchmark between the two processors is Cinebench R15 multi-core, and the result is not close. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U scores 658, while the PRO A10-9700 manages just 306, yielding a deltaPct of -53.5% for the A10. This means the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is more than twice as fast in this multi-threaded workload, a staggering gap that reflects the architectural leap between the two designs. The A10-9700's four physical cores with no simultaneous multithreading are simply outclassed by the Ryzen's four cores with eight threads.

Looking at the broader benchmark suite available for each chip, the pattern holds. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the A10-9700 scores 1275, but the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has no comparable R20 score listed. However, the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U posts a Geekbench multi-core score of 2567, while the A10-9700 has no Geekbench entry. The single-core picture is more nuanced: the A10-9700 achieves 179 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 428 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U only has a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 149. The A10-9700's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost of 3.80 GHz likely explains its competitive single-threaded showing in older tests, but the Ryzen's 4.00 GHz boost clock keeps it close.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story of overall parity despite the massive multi-core gap. The PRO A10-9700 has an average benchmark score of 1045, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U sits at 1041, a difference of just 0.4%. This near-identical average is reflected in their nearest rival lists, where both chips are bracketed by the same Intel Pentium Gold G5620, which scores 1045. The A10-9700's nearest rivals include the AMD PRO A10-8770 at 1046 (deltaPct -0.1%) and the AMD Athlon X4 950 at 1047 (deltaPct -0.2%), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U's rivals include the Intel Core i7-4558U at 1038 (deltaPct 0.3%) and the Intel Core i3-4160T at 1043 (deltaPct -0.2%). These rival clusters confirm that both processors occupy the same performance neighborhood overall, but the Ryzen's strengths are concentrated in multi-threaded workloads, while the A10 relies on its higher clocks for single-threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent entirely different eras of AMD design. The PRO A10-9700 uses the Excavator architecture on the Bristol Ridge codename, built on a 28 nm process node at GlobalFoundries. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U uses the Zen+ architecture on the Picasso codename, built on a 12 nm process node, also at GlobalFoundries. This node shrink from 28 nm to 12 nm is fundamental to the performance and efficiency differences, allowing the Ryzen to pack 4,940 million transistors into a 210 mm² die, versus 3,100 million transistors in a 250 mm² die for the A10. The Ryzen delivers more transistors in a smaller physical package, a direct result of the more advanced manufacturing process.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The A10-9700 has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling better utilization of execution resources. The cache hierarchy also diverges sharply. The A10-9700 has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache with no L3 cache at all. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has 96 KB of L1 per core (totaling 384 KB) and 512 KB of L2 per core (totaling 2 MB), plus 4 MB of shared L3 cache. That extra L3 cache is crucial for multi-threaded workloads, as it reduces memory latency and improves data sharing between cores.

Clock speeds and power envelopes tell a contrasting story. The A10-9700 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, with a TDP of 65 watts. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has a much lower base clock of 2.30 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz, all within a 15-watt TDP. The Ryzen's ability to boost 0.20 GHz higher while consuming 50 watts less reflects the efficiency gains from the 12 nm node and Zen+ architecture. The A10-9700 is a desktop part on the AMD Socket AM4 with 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is a mobile part on the AMD Socket FP5 with PCIe Gen 3 (lane count not specified). The A10-9700 has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has no bandwidth figure listed, though both support dual-channel DDR4 memory and neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics also differ. The A10-9700 uses Radeon R7 graphics, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U uses Radeon Vega 10. The Ryzen's Vega 10 is a newer and more capable integrated GPU, though no direct benchmark scores are available in the data to quantify the difference. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking support, and neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal for multi-threaded performance: the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U wins the only head-to-head benchmark by 53.5%, and its 8-thread configuration gives it a structural advantage that the A10-9700 cannot overcome. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is the clear choice for any workload that scales with threads, such as compiling, rendering, or running virtual machines. The A10-9700's only potential advantages are its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and its desktop form factor, which may appeal to users needing a simple AM4 socket drop-in for legacy builds, but the benchmark data offers no win for the A10 in any comparison.

For single-threaded workloads, the A10-9700 does show competitive numbers in Cinebench R20 single-core (179) and Cinebench R23 single-core (428), while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U only has a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 149. However, the Ryzen's 4.00 GHz boost clock suggests it should hold its own in lightly threaded tasks, and its superior architecture likely delivers better instructions-per-clock. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1045 vs 1041), but the Ryzen achieves this parity while consuming 50 watts less power, making it the more efficient choice in every scenario where power or thermals matter.

Users upgrading from an older AM4 desktop platform may find the A10-9700 convenient, but the data shows they would be leaving significant multi-threaded performance on the table. The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U, despite being a mobile part on the FP5 socket, delivers a more future-proof feature set with L3 cache and simultaneous multithreading. For any new system build, the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is the rational pick based on the benchmark evidence.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is dramatically faster, scoring 658 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 306 for the PRO A10-9700, a 53.5% advantage.

Q: Do the two processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores, but the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has 8 threads while the PRO A10-9700 has only 4 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical, with the PRO A10-9700 at 1045 and the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U at 1041, a difference of just 0.4%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The PRO A10-9700 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has a TDP of 15 watts, making the Ryzen far more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache plus 2 MB of L2 cache, while the PRO A10-9700 has no L3 cache and only 2 MB of L2 cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, both have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U wins the only direct head-to-head benchmark, Cinebench R15 multi-core, with a score of 658 versus 306 for the PRO A10-9700. This single result is decisive for multi-threaded applications like video rendering, 3D modeling, or batch photo processing. The Ryzen's 8 threads and 4 MB of L3 cache give it a structural advantage that no clock speed can overcome, and its lower TDP of 15 watts makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops or passively cooled systems where the A10-9700's 65-watt envelope would be impractical.

The PRO A10-9700 has no benchmark wins in the data, but it does show competitive single-threaded scores in Cinebench R20 (179) and Cinebench R23 (428) that are not directly comparable to the Ryzen's available scores. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.30 GHz suggests it may feel snappier in lightly threaded tasks like web browsing or office productivity, though the Ryzen's 4.00 GHz boost clock narrows that gap. The A10-9700's AM4 socket is a desktop standard, making it easier to find compatible motherboards and memory for a traditional tower build, while the Ryzen's FP5 socket is mobile-only and typically soldered to the motherboard.

For users with existing AM4 desktop infrastructure, the A10-9700 offers a straightforward upgrade path without changing platforms. However, the benchmark data shows that the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U is the better performer in multi-threaded tasks and the more efficient choice overall, making it the winner for any workload that leverages more than four threads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD PRO A10-9700 | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U |

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

| Series | None | 3000 series |

| Release Date | 2017-07-26 | 2019-04-07 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Excavator | Zen+ |

| Codename | Bristol Ridge | Picasso |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 12 nm |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 512 KB (per core) |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Radeon Vega 10 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Part Number | AD970BAGM44AB | YM370BC4T4MFG |

| Launch MSRP | None | None |