AMD PRO A10-9700E vs Intel Core i7-2715QE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents a one-sided outcome. The Intel Core i7-2715QE wins all five shared test scenarios, while the AMD PRO A10-9700E does not claim a single victory in any head-to-head comparison. This does not mean the AMD part is without merit, but within the scope of available measurements, the Intel processor consistently produces higher scores.

The AMD PRO A10-9700E finds its strongest footing in single-threaded workloads relative to its own multi-threaded results, but even there it trails the Intel chip. In the Cinebench R20 single-core test, the AMD scores 152 against the Intel's 162, a gap of 6.2%. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD scores 363 and the Intel scores 386, again a 6% difference. The AMD processor is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP, while the Intel is a mobile part with a 45 W TDP, yet the Intel still leads in every recorded metric.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, the Intel Core i7-2715QE is the clear choice based on the data. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 275 versus the AMD's 259. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 1149 versus 1081. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2737 versus 2574. The advantage is consistent, ranging from 5.8% to 6% across these tests.

The AMD processor does have one unique advantage: it includes a Radeon R7 integrated graphics solution, while the Intel part includes Intel HD 3000. Neither integrated GPU is benchmarked in the provided data, so any assessment of graphics performance would be speculative. The database only records CPU benchmark scores, and in those, the Intel wins across the board.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The AMD PRO A10-9700E uses the Excavator architecture under the Bristol Ridge codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 3,100 million transistors into a 250 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-2715QE uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel, with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD chip is physically larger and contains nearly three times the transistor count, yet it still loses in every benchmark.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD offers 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The Intel offers 4 cores and 8 threads, doubling the thread count through Hyper-Threading. This explains part of the multi-core performance gap: the Intel processor can process twice as many threads, even if each individual core runs at a lower clock speed. The AMD base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost to 3.50 GHz, while the Intel base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost to 3.00 GHz. The AMD has higher clock speeds, but the Intel still wins.

Cache configurations also differ. The AMD has 320 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel's L3 cache is a substantial advantage in workloads that benefit from shared data access across cores.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel's memory support is not listed in the database, but it does use a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel's PCIe information is not recorded.

The AMD targets the desktop market and remains in active production. The Intel targets the mobile market and is end-of-life. The AMD uses the AM4 socket, while the Intel uses BGA 1023, meaning the Intel is soldered and not upgradeable. The AMD was released in 2016, while the Intel was released in 2011, a five-year gap in release dates.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows five tests, all won by the Intel Core i7-2715QE. The closest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Intel scores 275 against the AMD's 259, a 5.8% difference. The widest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Intel scores 162 against the AMD's 152, a 6.2% difference.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Intel scores 1149 against the AMD's 1081, a 5.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel scores 2737 against the AMD's 2574, a 6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 386 against the AMD's 363, also a 6% advantage.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across five different tests spanning multiple versions of Cinebench, the Intel advantage never falls below 5.8% and never exceeds 6.2%. This suggests a systematic performance edge rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Intel processor is simply faster in every measured scenario.

The AMD does have additional benchmark scores not shared with the Intel. In Geekbench multi-core, the AMD scores 1430, and in Geekbench single-core, it scores 577. There is no corresponding Geekbench data for the Intel in the database, so a direct comparison in that test suite is not possible. The average benchmark score for the AMD is 919, while the Intel's average is 942, a gap of about 2.5%.

The AMD sits at the 25th percentile of all CPUs in the database, and the Intel also sits at the 25th percentile. Their nearest rivals reflect similar performance levels. The AMD's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1305G with an identical average score of 919. The Intel's closest rival is the Intel Core i3-8145U with an average score of 941, just 0.1% behind the Intel's 942.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-2715QE outperforms the AMD PRO A10-9700E in every shared benchmark. For anyone choosing between these two based purely on recorded CPU performance, the Intel is the stronger option. It wins all five head-to-head tests, maintains a consistent 6% advantage, and offers twice the thread count.

The AMD does have advantages in specific areas. It is a desktop part with a lower 35 W TDP, while the Intel is a mobile part with a 45 W TDP. The AMD is still in active production, while the Intel is end-of-life. The AMD supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and it uses the AM4 socket, which is more common in desktop systems. The AMD also has a newer release date, coming out in 2016 versus the Intel's 2011.

However, the Intel's performance edge is the deciding factor in benchmark terms. The Intel's advantage in single-threaded tests is particularly notable given its lower clock speeds. The AMD boosts to 3.50 GHz, while the Intel boosts to only 3.00 GHz, yet the Intel still scores 6% higher in single-core tests. This indicates a significant per-clock efficiency advantage for the Sandy Bridge architecture in these workloads.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Intel's 8 threads versus the AMD's 4 threads provide a structural advantage that clock speed cannot overcome. The Intel scores 2737 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus the AMD's 2574, a 6% lead. This advantage holds across R15, R20, and R23 versions of Cinebench, showing consistency across software generations.

The AMD's average benchmark score of 919 places it in the same performance tier as the Intel's 942. The 2.5% difference in average scores is smaller than the head-to-head margins, but it still favors the Intel. Both processors sit at the 25th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are entry-level performers in the broader database context. Neither part is a high-end processor, but the Intel is consistently the faster of the two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-2715QE wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 275 versus 259 in Cinebench R15, 1149 versus 1081 in Cinebench R20, and 2737 versus 2574 in Cinebench R23.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A10-9700E win any benchmark?

A: No. The AMD loses all five head-to-head tests. It has additional Geekbench scores of 1430 multi-core and 577 single-core, but there is no Intel Geekbench data for comparison.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core i7-2715QE?

A: The Intel advantage ranges from 5.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core to 6.2% in Cinebench R20 single-core. The average benchmark score difference is 942 versus 919, about 2.5%.

Q: What are the thread counts of each processor?

A: The AMD PRO A10-9700E has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i7-2715QE has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD has a 3.00 GHz base clock and 3.50 GHz boost clock. The Intel has a 2.10 GHz base clock and 3.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD PRO A10-9700E is listed as active, while the Intel Core i7-2715QE is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD PRO A10-9700E | Intel Core i7-2715QE |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1023 |

| Architecture | Excavator | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Bristol Ridge | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 3,100 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 250 mm² | 216 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | None | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | Not listed |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

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

| ECC Memory | No | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon R7 | Intel HD 3000 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2016-10-02 | 2011-01-02 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | AD970BAHM44AB | SR076 |