AMD A10-5800B vs AMD Athlon X4 850 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 850 leads with an average benchmark score of 806, while the AMD A10-5800B scores 794. This places the Athlon X4 850 in the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, marginally ahead of the A10-5800B's 21st percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of power consumption?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 850 has a TDP of 65, which is notably lower than the AMD A10-5800B's TDP of 100. This indicates a significant efficiency advantage for the Athlon X4 850.

Q: Do both processors feature integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD A10-5800B includes integrated graphics in the form of a Radeon HD 7660D, while the AMD Athlon X4 850 has no integrated graphics unit listed in the database.

Q: What are the architectural differences between the two?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 850 uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm process node, while the AMD A10-5800B uses the Piledriver architecture on a 32 nm process node. The Athlon X4 850 is built on the Godaveri codename, whereas the A10-5800B uses the Trinity codename.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has a boost clock of 4.20, which is higher than the AMD Athlon X4 850's boost clock of 3.90. Similarly, the A10-5800B has a higher base clock at 3.80 compared to 3.20.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Athlon X4 850 has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD A10-5800B does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Athlon X4 850 and AMD A10-5800B represent two distinct generations of AMD desktop silicon. The Athlon X4 850 is built on the Steamroller architecture with the Godaveri codename, manufactured on a 28 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. The A10-5800B, in contrast, uses the older Piledriver architecture with the Trinity codename, fabricated on a 32 nm process node, also by GlobalFoundries.

The process node difference is substantial: the 28 nm node of the Athlon X4 850 allows for 2,411 million transistors on a die size of 245 mm². The A10-5800B, on the 32 nm node, packs 1,303 million transistors on a slightly larger die at 246 mm². This means the Athlon X4 850 crams nearly twice the transistor count into a comparable physical area, which is a direct result of the more advanced manufacturing process.

Cache configurations also differ between the two. The Athlon X4 850 has a Level 1 cache of 256 KB and a Level 2 cache of 4 MB. The A10-5800B has a smaller Level 1 cache at 192 KB, but its Level 2 cache is listed as 4 MB (shared), indicating a shared design across the cores. Neither processor has any Level 3 cache.

The integrated graphics situation is a major architectural divergence. The A10-5800B includes a Radeon HD 7660D integrated graphics processor, making it an APU in AMD's terminology. The Athlon X4 850 has no integrated graphics at all, which is consistent with its positioning as a pure CPU. This absence of an iGPU is likely why the Athlon X4 850's TDP is considerably lower at 65 compared to the A10-5800B's 100.

Memory support and PCIe connectivity also reflect their generational gap. Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but the Athlon X4 850 achieves a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the A10-5800B is rated at 29.9 GB/s. The Athlon X4 850 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the A10-5800B is limited to PCIe Gen 2.

The sockets differ as well: the Athlon X4 850 uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the A10-5800B uses AMD Socket FM2. This means they are not directly interchangeable in the same motherboard without considering socket compatibility.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data available for these two processors is not directly comparable across identical test suites. The AMD Athlon X4 850 has results from the Cinebench series, while the AMD A10-5800B has results from the Geekbench series. This makes a direct apples-to-apples comparison impossible from the recorded data alone, but the average benchmark scores provide a useful aggregate measure.

In terms of the overall average benchmark score, the Athlon X4 850 scores 806, which is 1.5% higher than the A10-5800B's 794. This is a narrow margin, placing the Athlon X4 850 just ahead in the database's overall ranking. The percentile standings confirm this: the Athlon X4 850 sits at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, while the A10-5800B sits at the 21st percentile.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each processor provides additional context. The Athlon X4 850's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon X5482 with an average score of 805, a delta of 0.1%. It is also closely matched with the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U at 805 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i7-870S at 809 (-0.3% delta), and the AMD A10-6800K at 809 (-0.4% delta). This shows the Athlon X4 850 is essentially in a dead heat with several other processors, with a spread of less than 1% among its nearest rivals.

The A10-5800B's nearest rivals tell a similar story. Its closest match is the AMD A6-9400 at 794 (-0.1% delta), followed by the AMD A10-7850K at 796 (-0.3% delta), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G at 797 (-0.3% delta), and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 at 790 (0.5% delta). The A10-5800B, like its counterpart, sits within a tight cluster of scores, with a maximum delta of just 0.5%.

The individual benchmark results for the Athlon X4 850 show its multi-core performance: it scores 235 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 983 in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 2342 in Cinebench R23 multicore. Its single-core results are 138 in Cinebench R20 and 330 in Cinebench R23. The A10-5800B's Geekbench results show a multicore score of 1128 and a single-core score of 459.

Because the test suites differ, the database does not have direct head-to-head wins for either processor. The wins counter shows 0 for both the Athlon X4 850 and the A10-5800B, reflecting the absence of shared benchmark tests.

Specification Differences

The AMD Athlon X4 850 and AMD A10-5800B differ across several key specification fields:

• Base Clock: The Athlon X4 850 has a base clock of 3.20, while the A10-5800B has a higher base clock of 3.80.
• Boost Clock: The Athlon X4 850 boosts to 3.90, while the A10-5800B boosts to 4.20.
• TDP: The Athlon X4 850 is rated at 65, significantly lower than the A10-5800B's 100.
• Socket: The Athlon X4 850 uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the A10-5800B uses AMD Socket FM2.
• Architecture: The Athlon X4 850 is Steamroller, the A10-5800B is Piledriver.
• Codename: The Athlon X4 850 is Godaveri, the A10-5800B is Trinity.
• Process Node: The Athlon X4 850 is on 28 nm, the A10-5800B is on 32 nm.
• Transistors: The Athlon X4 850 has 2,411 million, the A10-5800B has 1,303 million.
• Die Size: The Athlon X4 850 is 245 mm², the A10-5800B is 246 mm².
• L1 Cache: The Athlon X4 850 has 256 KB, the A10-5800B has 192 KB.
• L2 Cache: The Athlon X4 850 has 4 MB, the A10-5800B has 4 MB (shared).
• Memory Bandwidth: The Athlon X4 850 is 34.1 GB/s, the A10-5800B is 29.9 GB/s.
• PCIe: The Athlon X4 850 is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), the A10-5800B is Gen 2.
• Integrated Graphics: The Athlon X4 850 has none, the A10-5800B has Radeon HD 7660D.
• Multiplier Unlocked: The Athlon X4 850 is unlocked, the A10-5800B is locked.
• Release Date: The A10-5800B has a recorded release date of 2012-10-01, while the Athlon X4 850 has no release date in the database.

Both processors share the same core and thread count (4 cores, 4 threads), both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. Both are desktop market segments and are marked as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the AMD Athlon X4 850 holds a slight overall performance edge over the AMD A10-5800B. With an average benchmark score of 806 against 794, the Athlon X4 850 is approximately 1.5% faster in aggregate. This places it just one percentile higher in the global CPU ranking, at the 22nd percentile versus the A10-5800B's 21st percentile.

The Athlon X4 850's advantages are rooted in its architectural and manufacturing superiority. The 28 nm Steamroller process allows for a much higher transistor density, which likely contributes to its better memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s compared to 29.9 GB/s. Its lower TDP of 65 versus 100 is a substantial efficiency win, meaning it delivers comparable performance while drawing significantly less power.

However, the A10-5800B is not without its own strengths. It has higher base and boost clocks (3.80 and 4.20 versus 3.20 and 3.90), which could translate to better single-threaded responsiveness in certain workloads, though the database does not provide directly comparable single-thread tests. Its integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics also makes it a more self-contained solution for systems without a discrete GPU.

The verdict from the recorded data is clear: if raw CPU performance and efficiency are the priorities, the AMD Athlon X4 850 is the better choice. The performance gap is narrow, but the TDP advantage is significant, and the higher transistor count on a newer node suggests better architectural efficiency. The A10-5800B's higher clock speeds do not translate into a higher average benchmark score, indicating that the Athlon X4 850's architectural improvements outweigh the clock speed deficit.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Athlon X4 850: This processor wins on overall performance, as measured by the average benchmark score of 806 versus 794. It also wins decisively on power efficiency, with a TDP of 65 compared to the A10-5800B's 100. Its 28 nm process node and 2,411 million transistors indicate a more modern design that delivers higher memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s). The unlocked multiplier is an advantage for enthusiasts who want to overclock. The Athlon X4 850 is the pick for users who already have a discrete graphics card and want a pure CPU with lower power draw and better aggregate performance.

AMD A10-5800B: This processor wins on clock speeds, with a base clock of 3.80 and a boost clock of 4.20, both higher than the Athlon X4 850's 3.20 and 3.90. It is also the only one of the two with integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon HD 7660D. This makes it a viable option for a basic system that does not require a separate graphics card. The A10-5800B's release date of 2012-10-01 is recorded, while the Athlon X4 850 has no release date in the database. For users building a budget-friendly system without a discrete GPU, the A10-5800B's integrated graphics and higher clocks could be more appealing, despite the lower overall benchmark score.