AMD PRO A10-9700 vs Intel Pentium G4560 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a remarkably narrow contest between these two desktop processors. Across every benchmark in the database, the AMD PRO A10-9700 finishes ahead, but by margins that are almost imperceptible in real-world use. The largest lead is 1.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the smallest is 1.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core. The Intel Pentium G4560 does not win a single head-to-head test in the database.

For workloads that rely on multi-threaded rendering, the AMD part holds a slight edge. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3037 compares to 2996 for the Pentium, a 1.4% advantage. In single-threaded tasks, the gap narrows further: 428 versus 423 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is a 1.2% difference. These results suggest that neither processor will feel meaningfully faster than the other in everyday applications.

The database places the AMD chip at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, while the Pentium sits at the 28th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 1045 and 1031 respectively. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Intel Pentium Gold G5620 at an identical average score of 1045, while the Pentium G4560's closest competitor is the AMD A12-9800E at 1033.

Buyers should choose based on platform preferences rather than performance. The AMD PRO A10-9700 suits those who want four physical cores and a Radeon R7 integrated GPU on Socket AM4. The Intel Pentium G4560 fits users who prefer the Socket 1151 ecosystem, want lower power consumption at 51 watts versus 65 watts, and need more PCIe lanes from the CPU. For raw benchmark numbers, the AMD part wins every test, but the practical difference is negligible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing nodes. The AMD PRO A10-9700 uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 3,100 million transistors onto a 250 mm² die. The Intel Pentium G4560 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process, with the database listing no transistor count or die size.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has four physical cores and four threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Intel chip has two physical cores and four threads thanks to Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and no boost clock listed. Both processors have their multipliers locked.

Cache configurations also diverge. The AMD part carries 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache reported. The Intel part lists 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This L3 advantage could help the Pentium in workloads that reuse data across threads, though the benchmark data does not show a decisive benefit.

Memory support is identical in key respects: both use DDR4, both run dual-channel, and both achieve a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: the AMD processor provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel processor provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the Pentium more headroom for discrete GPUs or NVMe storage.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD part includes Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel part has Intel HD 610. The database does not include GPU benchmark scores, so the comparison rests on CPU tests only. Both processors target the desktop market segment and remain in active production. The AMD part released on July 26, 2017, while the Intel part released on January 2, 2017.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five Cinebench comparisons between these two chips, and the AMD PRO A10-9700 wins all five. The margins are consistent and small. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 306 against 301 for the Pentium, a 1.7% lead. This is the largest delta in the set. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD scores 1275 against 1258, a 1.4% advantage.

Single-threaded results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD scores 179 versus 177, a 1.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD scores 428 versus 423, a 1.2% lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the AMD at 3037 versus 2996, again a 1.4% margin. Across all tests, the average delta is roughly 1.4% in favor of the AMD part.

Interpreting these numbers requires context from the nearest rivals. The AMD PRO A10-9700 has an average score of 1045, which matches the Intel Pentium Gold G5620 exactly. The Intel Core i5-6350HQ scores 1046, just 0.1% higher. The AMD PRO A10-8770 scores 1046 as well, and the AMD Athlon X4 950 scores 1047. These rivals are within 0.2% of the PRO A10-9700, meaning the performance tier is extremely crowded.

The Intel Pentium G4560 sits at an average score of 1031. Its nearest rivals include the AMD A12-9800E at 1033, which is 0.2% ahead. The Intel Xeon E5620 scores 1029, which is 0.2% behind. The AMD A10-9700 appears in the Pentium's rival list with a score of 1034, which is 0.3% ahead of the Pentium. The AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B scores 1027, 0.4% behind. This positioning confirms that both chips occupy the same performance band.

The head-to-head deltas are smaller than the differences between adjacent rivals in the database. A 1.7% lead in one test falls within run-to-run variance for many workloads. The data indicates that the AMD part is technically faster, but the magnitude is not enough to favor one chip over the other on performance grounds alone.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 306 versus 301 in Cinebench R15, 1275 versus 1258 in Cinebench R20, and 3037 versus 2996 in Cinebench R23. The lead ranges from 1.4% to 1.7%.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 also leads in single-core tests. It scores 179 versus 177 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 428 versus 423 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The margins are 1.1% and 1.2% respectively.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Pentium G4560 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Both have a base clock of 3.50 GHz, but only the AMD chip has a boost clock, reaching 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 includes Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel Pentium G4560 includes Intel HD 610. The database does not provide GPU benchmark scores, so no quantitative comparison is available.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. The memory specifications are effectively identical.

Q: What is the performance percentile ranking for each?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700 sits at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, and the Intel Pentium G4560 sits at the 28th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 1045 and 1031 respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A10-9700 wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split must consider factors beyond raw scores. For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD part holds a consistent edge. Its four physical cores provide a small but measurable advantage in Cinebench tests, with the largest delta of 1.7% appearing in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Users who run CPU-bound render tasks and care about every percentage point will prefer the AMD chip.

The AMD part also wins on integrated graphics capability. While the database does not include GPU scores, the Radeon R7 branding versus Intel HD 610 suggests a difference in graphics headroom for light gaming or media playback. The AMD chip also offers a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, which the Intel part lacks entirely. This means the AMD processor can raise its frequency under load, while the Pentium is fixed at 3.50 GHz.

The Intel Pentium G4560 wins on platform-level attributes. It has a lower thermal design power at 51 watts versus 65 watts, which matters for compact builds with limited cooling. The Intel chip also provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, double the 8 lanes available on the AMD part. This makes the Pentium a better fit for systems with discrete graphics cards or multiple NVMe drives. The Intel part also includes 3 MB of shared L3 cache, which the AMD chip lacks entirely.

For single-threaded workloads, the difference is negligible. The AMD leads by 1.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 1.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core. These margins will not be perceptible in everyday applications like web browsing or office productivity. Users should select the Intel part if they value lower power draw and more PCIe connectivity, or the AMD part if they want four physical cores and a stronger integrated GPU. The benchmark data does not justify a performance-based decision either way.