AMD PRO A10-9700 vs Intel Core i7-4558U Comparison

The AMD PRO A10-9700 and Intel Core i7-4558U represent two very different approaches to computing: a desktop-oriented AMD quad-core from 2017 versus a mobile-focused Intel dual-core from 2013. While both land in the same performance percentile range, the benchmark data reveals a clear and consistent winner across every tested workload, with the AMD part holding a roughly 20% advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD PRO A10-9700 wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and it does so with remarkable consistency. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 306 against Intel’s 255, a 20% advantage. That pattern repeats almost exactly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD posts 1275 versus 1063, a 19.9% lead. The single-core results tell the same story: the AMD wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 179 points versus 149, a 20.1% margin, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 428 versus 357, a 19.9% gap. The multi-core Cinebench R23 result is 3037 for AMD versus 2532 for Intel, again 19.9% ahead.

What is striking is not just that the AMD wins, but that the margin is nearly identical across all tests. This suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-dependent. The AMD’s four physical cores give it a natural advantage in multi-threaded rendering, but its lead in single-core tests shows it also wins where raw clock speed and per-core efficiency matter. The Intel part’s best showing is in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the 20% deficit is the smallest gap between the two. The AMD’s largest advantage is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it leads by 20.1%.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the AMD PRO A10-9700 has an average score of 1045, while the Intel Core i7-4558U sits at 1038. That places both in the same neighborhood as their nearest rivals. The AMD’s closest competitor is the Intel Pentium Gold G5620, which matches it exactly at 1045. The Intel Core i7-4558U’s closest rival is the AMD A8-7680 at 1036, just 0.2% behind. Interestingly, the AMD A10-9700 appears as a rival to the Intel i7-4558U with a score of 1034, which is 0.4% lower than the i7-4558U’s own average. This discrepancy highlights how average scores can obscure the head-to-head results, where the AMD wins every single direct comparison by roughly 20%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The AMD PRO A10-9700 uses the Excavator architecture on a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 250 mm² and 3,100 million transistors. It has four cores and four threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Its cache configuration includes 320 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3 cache. The AMD supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, providing 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, and uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform.

The Intel Core i7-4558U is built on the Haswell architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process. It has a die size of 118 mm² and 1,300 million transistors. This is a dual-core part with four threads, running at a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost of 3.30 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is different: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel part uses DDR3 memory and is mounted on Intel BGA 1168, a socket designed for mobile systems.

The transistor counts and die sizes reveal the fundamental differences. The AMD chip uses more than twice the transistors (3,100 million versus 1,300 million) and has a die more than twice as large (250 mm² versus 118 mm²). Its 65 W TDP is substantially higher than the Intel’s 28 W, reflecting that the AMD is a desktop part while the Intel is engineered for thin-and-light laptops. The AMD also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel datasheet lists no PCIe information. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD pairs with a Radeon R7, while the Intel uses HD 5100. The AMD was released on 2017-07-26, while the Intel arrived on 2013-06-03, giving the AMD a four-year newer design that explains its DDR4 support and higher clock speeds.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD PRO A10-9700 is the faster processor in every benchmark test recorded. If you are choosing strictly on performance, the AMD wins across the board, with a 19.9% to 20.1% lead in all five Cinebench comparisons. The AMD’s four physical cores versus the Intel’s two cores with Hyper-Threading gives it a structural advantage in multi-threaded work, and its higher base and boost clocks (3.50/3.80 GHz versus 2.80/3.30 GHz) help it win single-threaded tests too.

However, the Intel Core i7-4558U is not without its own merits. Its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops and compact systems where power draw and heat are primary concerns. The AMD’s 65 W TDP means it needs a more substantial cooling solution and a desktop motherboard. If you are building a desktop system and have the power budget, the AMD is the obvious choice. If you need a processor for a mobile form factor, the Intel is the only one of the two that fits, as the AMD’s Socket AM4 is not designed for ultraportable use.

The benchmark percentiles are close: the AMD sits at the 29th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel is at the 28th. Neither is a high-performance part by modern standards, but within their own context, the AMD offers roughly a fifth more performance in rendering workloads. For a user who values raw compute over power efficiency, the AMD PRO A10-9700 is the pick. For a user who needs a low-power chip for a mobile device, the Intel Core i7-4558U is the only viable option, and its performance is competitive with similar-era desktop parts like the AMD A10-7890K, which scores 1035 and sits just 0.3% behind the Intel in average score.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 scores 3037 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 19.9% higher than the Intel Core i7-4558U’s 2532.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The AMD wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 428 points versus 357 for the Intel, a 19.9% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD leads 179 to 149, a 20.1% margin.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-4558U has a 28 W TDP. The Intel part draws less than half the power of the AMD.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the AMD PRO A10-9700 supports DDR4, with a dual-channel bus providing 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-4558U uses DDR3 memory.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The AMD has four cores and four threads, while the Intel has two cores and four threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

Q: What are the release dates?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 was released on 2017-07-26, and the Intel Core i7-4558U was released on 2013-06-03.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A10-9700 wins every benchmark category recorded in the data. It is faster in all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multi-core. The AMD’s 20% lead in multi-core tests like Cinebench R15 (306 versus 255) comes from its four physical cores, which handle parallel workloads more effectively than the Intel’s two cores with four threads. The AMD also wins single-core tests, which is notable given the Intel’s higher Turbo Boost architecture; the AMD’s higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.80 GHz gives it an edge that the Intel’s 3.30 GHz boost cannot overcome.

The Intel Core i7-4558U wins in the categories that matter for mobile computing, though these are not reflected in the benchmark scores. Its 28 W TDP is less than half the AMD’s 65 W, making it suitable for laptops where battery life and cooling are critical. The Intel’s smaller die size of 118 mm² versus 250 mm² and lower transistor count of 1,300 million versus 3,100 million also indicate a part designed for efficiency rather than raw throughput. The Intel’s BGA 1168 socket means it is soldered to the motherboard, which is typical for ultraportable designs, while the AMD’s Socket AM4 allows for desktop upgrades and replacement.

For a desktop workstation or home PC where power consumption is not a concern, the AMD PRO A10-9700 is the clear winner. It delivers approximately 20% more performance in every Cinebench test, and its DDR4 support and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity make it a more modern platform. For a mobile device or a low-power embedded system, the Intel Core i7-4558U is the only choice between the two, and its performance, while lower, is still competitive with comparable desktop parts from its era.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD PRO A10-9700 | Intel Core i7-4558U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Excavator | Haswell |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | 1,300 million |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 118 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 320 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 5100 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2017-07-26 | 2013-06-03 |

| Part Number | AD970BAGM44AB | SR188 |

The two processors differ in nearly every meaningful specification. The AMD has twice the cores, higher clocks, a newer process node release (though the Intel’s 22 nm node is denser than AMD’s 28 nm), and a much larger die and transistor count. The Intel counters with a significantly lower TDP, a shared L3 cache, and a mobile-oriented socket. The AMD’s DDR4 support and PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it a more modern desktop platform, while the Intel’s DDR3 and BGA packaging reflect its 2013 mobile origins. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.