AMD Ryzen 7 3700U vs Intel Core i7-875K Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U wins all recorded head-to-head multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 672 versus the Intel Core i7-875K's 275, a 59.1% advantage. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2377 versus 1696, a 28.6% lead.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700U also leads in single-core performance. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 682 against the Core i7-875K's 499, a 26.8% difference. The database also records a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 161 for the Intel part, while the Ryzen's R15 single-core score is 139.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-875K boosts to 3.60 GHz. However, the Intel part has a higher base clock at 2.93 GHz versus 2.30 GHz for the AMD.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both are 4-core, 8-thread parts. They differ substantially in other specifications: the Intel part is on a 45 nm process with 774 million transistors, while the AMD part is on a 12 nm process with 4,940 million transistors.

Q: What are the market segments and TDPs?

A: The Intel Core i7-875K is a desktop part with a 95 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP. The Intel part is end-of-life; the AMD part is still active.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U includes integrated graphics, specifically Radeon Vega 10. The Intel Core i7-875K has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-875K is built on the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, manufactured on Intel's 45 nm process. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U uses the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename, built on GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process. This process difference is significant: the Intel die measures 296 mm² with 774 million transistors, while the AMD die is smaller at 210 mm² but packs far more transistors, 4,940 million.

The cache hierarchies differ notably. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 8 MB L3 cache. AMD provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. This means the AMD part has more private cache per core but half the shared L3 capacity.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Intel part uses DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a recorded memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The AMD part uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory, though no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. PCIe support also differs: Intel runs PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD lists PCIe Gen 3.

The integrated graphics situation is a major architectural distinction. The Ryzen 7 3700U includes Radeon Vega 10 graphics, making it a true APU. The Core i7-875K has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU. The Intel part does offer an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD mobile chip does not. Market positioning also differs: the Intel chip is a desktop part on Socket 1156, while the AMD chip is a mobile part on Socket FP5. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $353 and was released in 2010; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP and was released in 2019.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U wins every recorded head-to-head comparison. In the three head-to-head tests listed, the AMD part takes all three wins. The Intel Core i7-875K records zero wins in the direct comparisons.

That said, the Intel part is not without merit in specific contexts. Its base clock is higher, 2.93 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, which can matter in lightly threaded workloads that do not boost. Its larger shared L3 cache, 8 MB versus 4 MB, may help in cache-sensitive scenarios. Its unlocked multiplier and desktop socket make it a more flexible platform for overclocking, though the database does not record any overclocked benchmark results.

The Ryzen 7 3700U wins in raw throughput across both Cinebench and Geekbench. Its advantages are most pronounced in multi-threaded rendering and general multi-core compute. It also carries integrated Radeon Vega 10 graphics, which is a decisive feature for compact or mobile systems where a discrete GPU is impractical. The Intel part has no such capability.

For users prioritizing absolute multi-core performance, the mobile AMD chip is the clear choice in this comparison. For users with workloads that rely on a desktop platform, higher base clocks, or a larger L3 cache, the Intel part has qualitative appeal, but the recorded benchmarks do not show it winning any test.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: Intel Core i7-875K at 2.93 GHz, AMD Ryzen 7 3700U at 2.30 GHz
• Boost Clock: Intel at 3.60 GHz, AMD at 4.00 GHz
• TDP: Intel at 95 W, AMD at 15 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1156 versus AMD Socket FP5
• Architecture: Nehalem versus Zen+
• Codename: Lynnfield versus Picasso
• Process Node: 45 nm versus 12 nm
• Foundry: Intel versus GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: 774 million versus 4,940 million
• Die Size: 296 mm² versus 210 mm²
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core versus 96 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 256 KB per core versus 512 KB per core
• L3 Cache: 8 MB shared versus 4 MB shared
• Memory Support: DDR3 versus DDR4
• Memory Bandwidth: 21.3 GB/s versus not recorded
• PCIe: Gen 2, 16 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 3
• Integrated Graphics: None versus Radeon Vega 10
• Market Segment: Desktop versus Mobile
• Production Status: End-of-life versus Active
• Release Date: 2010 versus 2019
• Multiplier Unlocked: Yes versus No
• Part Number: SLBS2 versus YM370BC4T4MFG
• Launch MSRP: $353 versus not recorded

Fields that match include core count (4), thread count (8), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false for both), and the absence of 3D V-Cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The direct comparisons in the database show a consistent pattern of AMD superiority. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672 against the Core i7-875K's 275. That is a 59.1% advantage for the AMD part, the widest gap in any recorded test. This result reflects the combined impact of the newer Zen+ architecture, higher boost clock, and much higher transistor count.

In Geekbench multi-core, the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 2377 versus 1696, a 28.6% lead. The margin narrows in single-core. Geekbench single-core shows the AMD part at 682 against Intel's 499, a 26.8% difference. Even in the single-core test, where the Intel part's higher base clock and larger L3 cache might help, the AMD chip still holds a decisive edge.

The Intel part does have some benchmark entries that are not part of the head-to-head set. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core score is 1146, its Cinebench R20 single-core score is 161, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 2729 with a single-core score of 385. The Ryzen 7 3700U has a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 139, which is lower than the Intel part's R20 single-core score of 161, though these are different test versions and not directly comparable.

Looking at overall averages, the AMD part posts an average benchmark score of 968, while the Intel part averages 984. The Intel chip sits at the 27th percentile of all CPUs in the database, and the AMD chip at the 26th. Both are closely matched in aggregate ranking despite the AMD part winning every head-to-head test. This is because the Intel part has additional benchmark entries that bolster its average, while the AMD part has fewer recorded tests.

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core i7-875K include the Intel Core i3-4130T with an average score of 984 and a 0% delta, the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983 with a 0.1% delta, the Intel Core i3-4370T at 983 with a 0.1% delta, and the Intel Xeon W5590 at 986 with a -0.2% delta. For the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-2400S at 968 with a 0% delta, the Intel Xeon X5570 at 967 with a 0.1% delta, the Intel Celeron N5100 at 966 with a 0.2% delta, and the AMD PRO A8-9600 at 971 with a -0.3% delta.

In summary, the Ryzen 7 3700U dominates the direct benchmark comparisons, winning all three head-to-head tests with margins ranging from 26.8% to 59.1%. The Core i7-875K maintains a slightly higher average benchmark score overall, but that is driven by its broader set of recorded tests rather than by outperforming the AMD chip in any shared workload.