AMD A10-9700E

AMD A10-9700E: Budget Processor for Office and Multimedia in 2025

(Updated: April 2025)

Key Features: Architecture and Performance

The AMD A10-9700E processor, released in 2016, belongs to the Bristol Ridge line and is built on the Excavator microarchitecture. It is one of the last generations of AMD before the transition to Zen. The manufacturing process is 28 nm, which looks archaic against the backdrop of modern 5–7 nm chips by 2025.

Key Specifications:

- 4 cores/4 threads without SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) support.

- Base frequency — 3.0 GHz, maximum in turbo mode — 3.5 GHz.

- TDP of 35 W — one of the key advantages for energy-efficient systems.

- Integrated graphics Radeon R7 with 6 compute units (384 stream processors) and a frequency of up to 847 MHz.

Performance:

- In Geekbench 6 (2025): 578 points (Single-Core) and 1354 (Multi-Core). For comparison, the modern Ryzen 3 7300U scores ~1200/4000 points.

- The iGPU Radeon R7 handles 4K video (via HDMI 2.0) and 2010s games at low settings (e.g., CS:GO — 30–40 FPS at 720p).

Features:

- Low power consumption — suitable for compact PCs and systems without active cooling.

- Built-in graphics accelerator, eliminating the need for a discrete graphics card.

Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets

The A10-9700E uses the AM4 socket but is only compatible with motherboards using A320, B350, and X370 chipsets. It is important to note that newer AM4 boards (released after 2020) may not support Bristol Ridge due to lack of BIOS updates.

Selection Recommendations:

- Examples of motherboards: ASUS Prime A320M-K ($55–70), Gigabyte GA-AB350M-DS3H V2 ($60–80).

- Features:

- Check the list of supported processors on the manufacturer's website.

- Boards with HDMI/DisplayPort are preferred for connecting via integrated graphics.

- Avoid models without VRM heatsinks — even for a 35 W chip, overheating is possible in SFF cases.

Supported Memory Types

The A10-9700E works with DDR4-2400 MHz in dual-channel mode. There is no support for DDR5 or higher DDR4 frequencies.

Tips:

- Use 2 memory modules (e.g., 2x8 GB) to increase bandwidth.

- Maximum capacity — 64 GB, but for office tasks, 8–16 GB is sufficient.

- Popular kits: Kingston Fury Beast DDR4-2400 16 GB ($35–45).

Power Supply Recommendations

With a TDP of 35 W, the A10-9700E is one of the most "economical" CPUs. Even a PSU rated at 300–400 W will be sufficient, but:

- When using a discrete graphics card (e.g., GTX 1650), choose a PSU rated at 450–500 W (Corsair CV450 — $50).

- For systems without a graphics card, compact solutions like the FSP Flex-300 (300 W, $40) will suffice.

Important: Do not skimp on the PSU for system longevity. Even for the A10-9700E, opt for models certified 80+ Bronze.

Pros and Cons of the AMD A10-9700E

Pros:

- Low power consumption and heat output.

- Integrated graphics for basic tasks.

- Affordability (price in 2025: $60–80 new).

Cons:

- Poor performance in multi-threaded tasks (4 threads vs. 8+ for competitors).

- Outdated 28 nm manufacturing process.

- No support for PCIe 4.0, DDR5.

Use Cases

1. Office PCs: Document work, browsing, Zoom.

2. Home Theater: 4K video via HDMI, streaming.

3. Budget builds for kids: Minecraft, Roblox, browser games.

4. Retro gaming: Running older titles like Half-Life 2 or Skyrim (at low settings).

Not suitable for:

- Video editing, 3D rendering.

- Modern gaming (Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2).

Comparison with Competitors

1. Intel Pentium Gold G7400 (2022):

- 2 cores/4 threads, UHD 710, TDP 46 W.

- Better in single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single-Core: ~800), but weaker in multi-threaded.

- Price: $75–90.

2. AMD Athlon 3000G (2019):

- 2 cores/4 threads, Vega 3, TDP 35 W.

- Lower CPU performance but a more modern manufacturing process (14 nm).

- Price: $50–60.

Conclusion: The A10-9700E wins only when 4 cores and low TDP are necessary, but loses in energy efficiency and IPC.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Case: Choose Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX for compactness (e.g., Cooler Master MasterBox Q30L — $55).

2. Storage: Be sure to use an SSD (Kingston A400 480 GB — $30). HDD will slow down the system.

3. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quietness, consider the Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 V2 ($20).

4. Building without a graphics card: Connect the monitor via HDMI for using the iGPU.

Final Conclusion: Who is the A10-9700E for?

This processor is a choice for:

- Budget office PCs where cost and minimal power consumption are important.

- Media centers streaming 4K content.

- Secondary systems for simple tasks (browsing, printing).

Why in 2025? Despite its age, the A10-9700E remains one of the most affordable 4-core CPUs with iGPU. However, if your budget allows an additional $20–30, it is better to opt for the Athlon 3000G or Intel Pentium Gold — they offer more modern technologies and future-proofing.