AMD A10-5800B vs AMD A10-7850K Comparison

The AMD A10-7850K and AMD A10-5800B are both end-of-life desktop processors from AMD, representing two consecutive generations of the company’s accelerated processing unit (APU) lineup. The data shows a remarkably tight contest: the A10-7850K posts an average benchmark score of 796, while the A10-5800B trails by a hair at 794, a difference of just 0.3%. Both chips sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, meaning they outperform only about a fifth of the processors in the database. The head-to-head results are split exactly one win apiece, making this comparison a study in marginal gains rather than generational leaps.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The two available benchmark tests tell a story of near-parity, with each processor claiming one victory. In the Geekbench multicore test, the AMD A10-7850K scores 1139, edging out the A10-5800B’s 1128. That is a 1% advantage, or 11 points, in favor of the Kaveri-based part. While the margin is slim, it is consistent with the A10-7850K’s slightly higher average benchmark score of 796 versus 794 for the A10-5800B. The multicore result suggests that the A10-7850K’s architectural refinements in Steamroller provide a small but measurable benefit when all four cores are engaged simultaneously.

The single-core test flips the outcome. The A10-5800B records a Geekbench single-core score of 459, while the A10-7850K manages 453. That gives the older Trinity-based chip a 1.3% lead, or 6 points, in this metric. This result is notable because the A10-5800B has a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, compared to 3.70 GHz and 4.00 GHz for the A10-7850K. The clock speed advantage of roughly 0.1 GHz to 0.2 GHz appears to translate directly into a single-thread performance edge, even though the A10-7850K’s newer architecture might be expected to offset this. The data indicates that raw clock frequency still matters for lightly threaded workloads, even across a generational gap.

When viewed against their nearest rivals, both processors occupy a crowded performance tier. The A10-7850K’s closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G, which scores 797, a delta of -0.1% relative to the A10-7850K. The A6-9400 sits at 794, a 0.2% difference, and the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 scores 801, a 0.6% gap. The A10-5800B’s nearest rival list includes the A6-9400 at 794 (-0.1%), the A10-7850K at 796 (-0.3%), the Ryzen Embedded R1606G at 797 (-0.3%), and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 at 790 (0.5%). These deltas are all under 1%, underscoring how tightly clustered this performance segment is. Neither AMD APU can separate itself from its peers by more than a fraction of a percent.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the choice between these two processors is almost a coin flip. The AMD A10-7850K wins the multicore test by 1%, while the AMD A10-5800B wins the single-core test by 1.3%. The average benchmark scores differ by only 2 points out of roughly 795, a 0.3% spread. Users who prioritize multi-threaded workloads, such as video encoding or compiling, might lean toward the A10-7850K based on its 1139 multicore score. Conversely, users whose applications depend on single-thread responsiveness, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools, could prefer the A10-5800B’s 459 single-core score.

However, the A10-7850K offers a few non-benchmark advantages that could tip the scales. It features a newer 28 nm process node compared to the A10-5800B’s 32 nm node, which contributes to a lower TDP of 95 watts versus 100 watts. The A10-7850K also has a larger L1 cache at 256 KB versus 192 KB, and its integrated Radeon R7 graphics are a generational step up from the Radeon HD 7660D in the A10-5800B. For a system builder who values efficiency and newer integrated graphics, the A10-7850K is the more forward-looking pick, even if its raw CPU scores are essentially tied. For a user who already owns an FM2 motherboard and wants the highest possible single-core clock speeds, the A10-5800B remains a valid, slightly faster option in one specific metric.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations from AMD. The A10-7850K is built on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, while the A10-5800B uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Trinity. This generational gap is evident in the manufacturing process: the A10-7850K is fabricated on a 28 nm node, whereas the A10-5800B uses a 32 nm node, both at GlobalFoundries. The transistor count reflects this difference, with the A10-7850K packing 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, compared to 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die for the A10-5800B. Despite having nearly twice the transistor budget, the A10-7850K’s die size is almost identical to the A10-5800B’s, illustrating the density improvement from the smaller process node.

Cache configurations also differ. The A10-7850K has a 256 KB L1 cache and a 4 MB L2 cache, while the A10-5800B has a smaller 192 KB L1 cache and a 4 MB shared L2 cache. Notably, neither processor has an L3 cache. The memory support is DDR3 for both, but the A10-5800B explicitly lists dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the A10-7850K’s memory bus and bandwidth fields are not specified in the data. The integrated graphics differ as well: the A10-7850K features Radeon R7 graphics, whereas the A10-5800B comes with Radeon HD 7660D. The A10-7850K also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the A10-5800B is limited to PCIe Gen 2.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal several key differences beyond the architectural split. The base clock of the A10-5800B is 3.80 GHz, which is 0.10 GHz higher than the A10-7850K’s 3.70 GHz. The boost clock follows the same pattern: 4.20 GHz for the A10-5800B versus 4.00 GHz for the A10-7850K. Thermal design power favors the A10-7850K at 95 watts, while the A10-5800B draws up to 100 watts. The sockets are not interchangeable: the A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+, whereas the A10-5800B uses AMD Socket FM2.

The A10-7850K has an unlocked multiplier, making it a candidate for overclocking, while the A10-5800B’s multiplier is locked. The A10-7850K’s L1 cache is larger at 256 KB versus 192 KB, but both share a 4 MB L2 cache (with the A10-5800B’s explicitly marked as shared). The A10-7850K supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the A10-5800B is limited to PCIe Gen 2. The integrated graphics are Radeon R7 on the A10-7850K versus Radeon HD 7660D on the A10-5800B. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both are classified as end-of-life desktop parts. The A10-7850K was released on 2014-01-13, while the A10-5800B came earlier on 2012-10-01.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10-7850K scores 1139 in Geekbench multicore, which is 1% higher than the AMD A10-5800B’s 1128.

Q: Does the older A10-5800B win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the A10-5800B wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 459, beating the A10-7850K’s 453 by 1.3%.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The A10-7850K has an average benchmark score of 796, while the A10-5800B scores 794, a difference of 0.3% in favor of the A10-7850K.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The A10-7850K’s closest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G at 797 (-0.1%), and the A10-5800B’s closest rival is the AMD A6-9400 at 794 (-0.1%). All nearest rivals are within 0.6% of either processor.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The A10-7850K has a TDP of 95 watts, which is lower than the A10-5800B’s 100 watts.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, only the A10-7850K has an unlocked multiplier. The A10-5800B’s multiplier is locked.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7850K is the pick for users who value efficiency and newer platform features. Its 28 nm process node and 95-watt TDP make it a more power-conscious choice than the A10-5800B’s 32 nm node and 100-watt TDP. The 1% multicore win, combined with a larger L1 cache and a newer integrated graphics solution (Radeon R7), positions it as the better all-around APU for tasks that can use all four cores, such as media transcoding or multi-tasking. The unlocked multiplier also gives enthusiasts headroom to push performance further, and the PCIe Gen 3 support is a meaningful upgrade for systems with modern discrete graphics or NVMe storage.

The AMD A10-5800B, despite being the older part, has its own niche. Its 1.3% single-core advantage and higher base and boost clocks (3.80 GHz and 4.20 GHz) make it slightly better for workloads that depend on a single thread, such as legacy software, some emulators, or older game engines that cannot utilize multiple cores effectively. For a user who already owns an FM2 motherboard and wants to avoid a platform change, the A10-5800B offers a drop-in upgrade path with a marginal clock speed edge. Its explicit dual-channel memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s is also documented, which may be a consideration for memory-sensitive tasks, though the A10-7850K’s memory bandwidth is not specified.

In summary, the data shows a split decision. The A10-7850K wins on multicore performance, efficiency, and platform modernities, while the A10-5800B wins on single-core speed and raw clock frequency. The average benchmark scores are within 0.3%, so the deciding factors will likely come down to socket compatibility, overclocking desire, and which benchmark metric aligns with the user’s primary applications. Both processors are end-of-life, so availability and platform fit will ultimately drive the choice more than the negligible performance deltas.