AMD PRO A10-9700E vs Intel Core i7-870 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-870 and AMD PRO A10-9700E are both quad-core desktop processors, but they represent vastly different design philosophies and eras. The data shows a consistent, narrow advantage for the Intel part across every shared benchmark, despite the AMD chip being significantly newer and more power-efficient. This head-to-head analysis relies solely on the provided benchmark results, architectural specifications, and comparative data to determine where each processor stands.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably uniform, with the Intel Core i7-870 winning all five shared tests by a margin of roughly 4.6% to 4.8%. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Intel part scores 271 against the AMD PRO A10-9700E's 259, a delta of 4.6%. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multicore, where Intel scores 1132 versus AMD's 1081, a 4.7% advantage. The single-core results tell the same story: in Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel leads 159 to 152, a 4.6% delta.

The consistency is striking. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows Intel at 2697 and AMD at 2574, a 4.8% delta, while the R23 single-core test shows Intel at 380 and AMD at 363, a 4.7% delta. None of these margins are large enough to suggest a dramatic performance gulf, but they are entirely one-sided. The Intel Core i7-870 wins 5 benchmarks, and the AMD PRO A10-9700E wins none.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the Intel part posts an average benchmark score of 928, while the AMD part averages 919. This places the Intel chip at the 25th percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core i5-4288U at an average score of 927, a negligible 0.1% difference. The AMD PRO A10-9700E also sits at the 25th percentile, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1305G at an average score of 919, a 0% delta. Both processors are effectively in the same performance tier, but the Intel part holds a slight edge in every direct comparison.

It is importantly the AMD PRO A10-9700E has additional Geekbench results in its benchmark list, scoring 1430 in Geekbench multicore and 577 in single-core, but no corresponding Intel scores are available for these tests in the data. Therefore, they cannot be used for a direct comparison and are simply part of the AMD chip's profile. The overall verdict from the head-to-head data is clear: the Intel Core i7-870 is the faster processor in every measurable shared workload.

The Verdict

From the data provided, the Intel Core i7-870 is the outright performance winner. It leads the AMD PRO A10-9700E in all five Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 4.6% to 4.8% in both single-core and multi-core workloads. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in CPU-bound tasks like rendering or multi-threaded applications, the Intel part is the clear choice based on these benchmark results.

However, the AMD PRO A10-9700E is not without its own merits, which are entirely architectural. The AMD chip has a TDP of 35 watts compared to Intel's 95 watts, making it a far more power-efficient option for compact or thermally constrained systems. It also features integrated Radeon R7 graphics, whereas the Intel Core i7-870 has no integrated graphics listed, meaning the Intel part requires a discrete GPU for any display output. The AMD processor also supports DDR4 memory and has a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel part uses older DDR3 memory without a listed bandwidth figure.

Therefore, the verdict is split by use case. The Intel Core i7-870 is the pick for anyone needing maximum CPU performance in a desktop system where power draw is not a primary concern and a discrete graphics card is already planned. The AMD PRO A10-9700E is the pick for a low-power, all-in-one desktop solution where integrated graphics and energy efficiency are more important than the modest performance deficit seen in the benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting their different release eras. The Intel Core i7-870 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, using a 45 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It packs 774 million transistors into a die size of 296 mm². The AMD PRO A10-9700E, in contrast, uses the Excavator architecture with the Bristol Ridge codename, built on a 28 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. It contains 3,100 million transistors on a die size of 250 mm².

The core configurations differ as well. The Intel part has 4 cores and 8 threads, utilizing Hyper-Threading technology to double the thread count. The AMD part also has 4 cores but only 4 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading. The cache layouts are distinct: Intel provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a large 8 MB shared L3 cache. AMD's cache structure is simpler, with a total of 320 KB L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, but no L3 cache at all.

Memory support is another fundamental difference. The Intel Core i7-870 uses DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus, while the AMD PRO A10-9700E supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. PCIe support also diverges: Intel offers Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Intel processor. The production status also differs, with the Intel part marked as end-of-life and the AMD part still active.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several clear points of divergence. The base clock speeds are close, with the Intel part at 2.93 GHz and the AMD part at 3.00 GHz, but the boost clocks differ slightly: Intel at 3.60 GHz and AMD at 3.50 GHz. The most dramatic difference is TDP: the Intel Core i7-870 consumes 95 watts, while the AMD PRO A10-9700E consumes only 35 watts. This is a 60-watt gap that has major implications for cooling and power supply requirements.

The sockets are incompatible, with Intel using Socket 1156 and AMD using Socket AM4. The process nodes differ, as noted, with Intel at 45 nm and AMD at 28 nm. The transistor counts are vastly different, with AMD's 3,100 million transistors being roughly four times Intel's 774 million, though this is largely due to the integrated graphics and newer process. The cache specifications differ in both size and structure, with Intel offering a substantial 8 MB L3 cache that AMD lacks entirely. Memory support differs by generation, and PCIe support differs by version and lane count. The Intel part has no integrated graphics, while the AMD part includes Radeon R7 graphics. Release dates also differ significantly, with Intel launching on 2009-09-07 and AMD on 2016-10-02.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-870 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 2697 versus the AMD PRO A10-9700E's 2574, a 4.8% delta. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel scores 271 versus AMD's 259, a 4.6% delta.

Q: Does the AMD PRO A10-9700E have any performance advantage?

A: No. The AMD PRO A10-9700E loses all five shared head-to-head benchmarks. Its only advantages are architectural, such as a lower TDP of 35 watts versus Intel's 95 watts, and the inclusion of integrated Radeon R7 graphics.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: Both processors have 4 cores, but the Intel Core i7-870 has 8 threads due to Hyper-Threading, while the AMD PRO A10-9700E has only 4 threads. This thread advantage likely contributes to Intel's higher multi-core scores.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i7-870 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the AMD PRO A10-9700E has a TDP of 35 watts. This makes the AMD part significantly more power-efficient, which is a key consideration for low-power builds.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the AMD PRO A10-9700E supports DDR4 memory, with a dual-channel bus and a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-870 supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the performance ranking of each processor compared to all CPUs?

A: Both processors are at the 25th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i7-870 has an average benchmark score of 928, while the AMD PRO A10-9700E has an average score of 919.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-870 wins in every CPU-bound benchmark category. It is the superior choice for multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation, where its 8 threads and large 8 MB L3 cache provide a measurable edge. It is also slightly faster in single-core tasks, making it better for older or lightly-threaded applications. The data shows a 4.6% to 4.8% advantage across the board, so any task that relies on raw CPU processing power will favor the Intel part. However, this comes at the cost of a 95-watt TDP and the requirement for a discrete GPU, as it has no integrated graphics.

The AMD PRO A10-9700E wins in scenarios where power efficiency and system integration are paramount. Its 35-watt TDP makes it suitable for small form factor PCs, always-on systems, or build environments where cooling is limited. The integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a separate graphics card, making it a complete desktop solution out of the box. It also supports newer DDR4 memory and has a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which may benefit memory-sensitive tasks despite the CPU's lower raw compute scores. For a user building a compact, low-power desktop that does not require top-tier CPU performance, the AMD part is the logical choice. For anyone who needs the maximum compute throughput available in this comparison, the Intel Core i7-870 is the definitive winner.