AMD A6-7480
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
Integrated GPUAt a Glance
AMDAMD A6-7480 Specifications
A6-7480 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD A6-7480 features 2 physical cores and 2 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
A6-7480 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in A6-7480 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The A6-7480 by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's A6-7480 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the A6-7480 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The A6-7480's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Excavator Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD A6-7480 is built on AMD's 28 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in A6-7480 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Excavator Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The A6-7480 by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD A6-7480 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 45W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Socket FM2+ Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The A6-7480 uses the AMD Socket FM2+ socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Socket FM2+ Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the A6-7480 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the A6-7480 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
AMD's A6-7480 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The AMD A6-7480 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the A6-7480 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD A6-7480 is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the A6-7480 by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
About AMD A6-7480
The AMD A6-7480 is a dual-core desktop processor built on the 28nm Excavator architecture, designed for the FM2+ platform. It sits in the 10th percentile of all CPUs in the benchmark database, indicating it is firmly entry-level by modern standards. The following analysis breaks down its performance, platform fit, and use cases based on the available benchmark data.
Benchmark Performance
The A6-7480’s benchmark results are consistent with a low-power, dual-core design. In Cinebench R23, it scores 1530 points in multi-core and 216 points in single-core. These numbers place it at the very bottom of the performance spectrum, with a database percentile of 10 and an average benchmark score of 526. The multi-core to single-core ratio in R23 (1530 vs 216) shows limited scaling, which is expected for a 2-core/2-thread part.
Comparing it to its nearest rivals shows a tight cluster of similarly performing chips. The AMD A6-7470K has an identical average score of 526, a 0% difference. The AMD Opteron 1381 scores 525, a 0.2% advantage for the A6-7480. The AMD Athlon II X3 445 scores 527, meaning the A6-7480 trails by -0.2%. The AMD Athlon II X4 600e also scores 525, giving the A6-7480 a 0.3% edge. In practical terms, these deltas are within the noise of benchmarking; the A6-7480 is statistically tied with all four rivals. None of these chips offer a meaningful performance advantage over the others.
In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 642 and single-core is 90. The older R15 test shows a multi-core score of 154. These scores confirm that the processor is not designed for heavy threaded workloads. The data shows that the A6-7480’s performance is nearly identical to a quad-core Athlon II X4 600e in the aggregate, but that rival has four physical cores, which may handle certain workloads differently despite the similar average score.
Platform and Compatibility
The A6-7480 uses AMD Socket FM2+, a platform that is now legacy. It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a peak bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which limits its use in error-tolerant server or workstation scenarios. The processor includes PCIe Gen 3 support, which is adequate for a GPU of the same era, but modern graphics cards will be bottlenecked by the CPU itself rather than the interface.
The integrated graphics are Radeon R5, which provides a basic display output without a discrete GPU. The processor has a 45W TDP, making it a low-heat part that can be cooled by a simple, capable air cooler. The architecture is Excavator (codename Carrizo), built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The die contains 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die, with 160 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of shared L2 cache. There is no L3 cache listed.
The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option. The base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The release date is 2018-10-25. The upgrade path from this socket is essentially nonexistent; the best FM2+ CPUs are still only marginally faster than this part. Users on this platform should view the whole system as a fixed unit rather than a starting point for future upgrades.
Who Should Consider It
Given its benchmark scores, the A6-7480 is only suitable for basic computing tasks. It will handle office productivity, web browsing, and light document editing without issue, but the 216 single-core R23 score means even modern web pages with heavy JavaScript can cause noticeable lag. For gaming, the integrated Radeon R5 graphics and dual-core CPU are insufficient for any demanding 3D titles; only very old or 2D games are practical.
Content creation is out of the question. The 1530 multi-core R23 score is far below what is needed for video editing, 3D rendering, or large photo manipulation. The data shows that the chip is roughly 0.3% faster than the Athlon II X4 600e, but that rival has four cores, which would handle multi-threaded apps with less stuttering even if the final score is similar. This processor is best suited for a home server, a retro gaming PC, or a secondary machine for basic tasks where the low 45W TDP and onboard graphics are advantages.
FAQ
Q: How does the A6-7480 perform in single-core tasks?
A: Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 216 points, placing it in the bottom tier of CPUs. This score is adequate for basic responsiveness but will struggle with modern, demanding applications.
Q: Can this processor handle multi-threaded workloads?
A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 1530. This is sufficient for light multitasking, but heavy rendering or encoding tasks will perform poorly.
Q: What memory does the A6-7480 support?
A: It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.
Q: Does the CPU include integrated graphics?
A: Yes, it features Radeon R5 integrated graphics, which allows for a basic display output without a separate GPU.
Q: What socket does this processor use?
A: It uses AMD Socket FM2+, which is an older platform with no modern upgrade path.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked, so users cannot overclock the processor beyond its standard boost clock of 3.80 GHz.
How It Compares
AMD A6-7470K: The closest rival, with an identical average score of 526 and a 0% delta. These two chips are effectively the same in performance. The A6-7470K has a K-suffix, which typically denotes an unlocked multiplier, but the benchmark data shows no performance difference. For the user, there is no reason to choose one over the other based on speed.
AMD Opteron 1381: This server-oriented chip scores 525, with the A6-7480 holding a 0.2% advantage. The Opteron is an older architecture, but the performance is statistically tied. The A6-7480 offers similar performance with a more modern feature set, but the Opteron may have had different memory support in its original platform.
AMD Athlon II X3 445: A triple-core processor that scores 527, putting the A6-7480 -0.2% behind. Despite having one fewer core, the A6-7480 is competitive in the aggregate score. However, the Athlon’s third core may help in specific multi-threaded applications, even if the overall benchmark average is the same.
AMD Athlon II X4 600e: A quad-core part with a score of 525, giving the A6-7480 a 0.3% lead. This is a notable comparison because the A6-7480 achieves a slightly higher average score with half the cores. This suggests the Excavator architecture is more efficient per core, but the Athlon will likely feel smoother in heavily threaded applications due to its extra cores.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The A6-7480’s single-thread performance is its weakest aspect. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 216 is very low, which directly impacts everyday responsiveness. Most software, including operating systems and web browsers, relies heavily on single-thread performance. This score indicates that the CPU will feel sluggish in any task that isn’t purely sequential, such as opening large files, running complex spreadsheets, or loading modern websites.
The multi-thread score of 1530 is low in absolute terms, but the ratio between multi and single-core scores (about 7x) is normal for a dual-core part without SMT. This means that while the CPU can utilize both cores, it doesn’t gain much from doing so because each core is individually weak. For workloads that can use multiple threads, such as video transcoding or 3D rendering, the A6-7480 will complete tasks, but far slower than even a mid-range quad-core. The benchmark data shows a balanced but low-level capability: it is not a chip that surprises in either direction. It is a baseline processor, and its behavior in real workloads will be dominated by its lack of single-thread grunt.
Detailed benchmark scores and charts for the AMD A6-7480 are below.
Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how AMD A6-7480 performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on AMD A6-7480.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of AMD A6-7480.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of AMD A6-7480 after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how AMD A6-7480 maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
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