AMD A10-5800B vs Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a striking parity between these two processors, with their average scores separated by a razor-thin margin. The AMD A10-5800B posts an average benchmark score of 794, while the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 trails marginally at 790. That difference of just 4 points translates to a deltaPct of 0.5% in favor of the AMD part, placing them essentially at statistical parity in overall performance.

Looking at the rival context, both chips occupy the same 21st percentile among all CPUs. The AMD A10-5800B sits directly alongside the AMD A6-9400, which also scores 794, and the AMD A10-7850K at 796, showing a deltaPct of -0.1% and -0.3% respectively. The Intel part finds itself in a cluster with the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 at 789 (deltaPct 0.1%), the AMD Opteron 3350 HE at 789 (deltaPct 0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-4210U at 788 (deltaPct 0.3%). Neither chip manages to break away from this pack of near-identical performers.

Direct benchmark comparisons are complicated by the fact that the two chips were tested under different benchmark suites. The AMD A10-5800B has Geekbench scores of 1128 for multi-core and 459 for single-core. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770, on the other hand, was evaluated using Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. In Cinebench R20, the Intel chip scores 963 multi-core and 136 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it achieves 2295 multi-core and 324 single-core, with a Cinebench R15 multi-core result of 231.

What the data does show is that these two processors, despite being separated by roughly four and a half years in release dates, deliver statistically indistinguishable average performance. The AMD part's edge in average score is 0.5%, which is well within the noise of typical benchmark variance. Neither processor demonstrates a decisive win in the aggregate data available, and the head-to-head benchmark array is empty, indicating no direct comparative tests were run.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two chips is substantial, reflecting their different design philosophies and eras. The AMD A10-5800B is built on the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Trinity, using a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 1,303 million transistors onto a 246 mm² die. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses the Core 2 architecture, codenamed Yorkfield, fabricated on Intel's 45 nm process with 820 million transistors spread across two dies of 107 mm² each.

Clock speeds tell a significant story. The AMD part runs at a base clock of 3.80 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel chip operates at a fixed 3.20 GHz with no boost capability. This gives the AMD processor a 0.60 GHz advantage at base and a full 1.00 GHz advantage at boost. The Intel part compensates with a larger shared L2 cache of 12 MB compared to the AMD's 4 MB shared L2. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads, with the AMD featuring 192 KB of L1 cache versus Intel's 64 KB per core.

Memory support diverges notably. The AMD A10-5800B supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a peak memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 supports DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3 memory types, also dual-channel, though no memory bandwidth figure is provided in the data. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both use PCIe Gen 2.

Perhaps the most striking difference is in integrated graphics. The AMD A10-5800B includes a Radeon HD 7660D integrated GPU as a standard feature. The Intel part offers integrated graphics only "on certain motherboards" as a chipset feature, meaning it is not a native CPU capability. This fundamentally changes the platform requirements for each processor.

Power consumption diverges sharply, with the AMD part rated at 100 W TDP and the Intel chip at 136 W TDP. This 36 W difference is notable given the Intel part's lower clock speeds. The Intel chip also features an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part's multiplier is locked. Release dates separate them by years: the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 launched on 2008-03-23, while the AMD A10-5800B arrived on 2012-10-01. Both are now end-of-life desktop parts, with the AMD using Socket FM2 and the Intel using Socket 775.

The Verdict

From the data, these two processors are effectively tied in average performance. The AMD A10-5800B holds a 0.5% average score advantage over the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770, a margin that carries no practical significance. Both sit at the 21st percentile of all CPUs, surrounded by a cluster of rivals within 0.3% of each other's scores.

Where the AMD part wins is in platform integration and efficiency. It delivers comparable performance while consuming 36 W less power, running at higher clock speeds, and including a built-in Radeon HD 7660D GPU. The Intel part's primary advantages are its larger 12 MB L2 cache and unlocked multiplier, which appeal to enthusiasts willing to accept higher power draw.

For a user building a system without a discrete graphics card, the AMD A10-5800B is the clear choice due to its integrated GPU. For a user who already owns a Socket 775 motherboard and a discrete GPU, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 offers similar performance with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. From a pure benchmark perspective, neither processor offers a meaningful edge over the other.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD A10-5800B | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | None |

| TDP | 100 W | 136 W |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 45 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,303 million | 820 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 2x 107 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon HD 7660D | On certain motherboards (Chipset feature) |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2 | Intel Socket 775 |

| Release Date | 2012-10-01 | 2008-03-23 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | AD580BWOA44HJ | SLAWM |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has an average benchmark score of 794, while the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 scores 790. The AMD part leads by 0.5%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 have a boost clock?

A: No. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 runs at a fixed base clock of 3.20 GHz with no boost capability, while the AMD A10-5800B boosts from 3.80 GHz to 4.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The AMD A10-5800B includes a Radeon HD 7660D integrated GPU natively. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 only offers integrated graphics on certain motherboards as a chipset feature.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for each chip?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has a TDP of 100 W, while the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 has a TDP of 136 W. The AMD part consumes 36 W less power.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache?

A: The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 has a 12 MB shared L2 cache, which is three times larger than the AMD A10-5800B's 4 MB shared L2 cache.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both the AMD A10-5800B and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 are end-of-life products.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-5800B wins in scenarios where integrated graphics are required. Its Radeon HD 7660D GPU eliminates the need for a separate graphics card, making it suitable for basic desktop use, media playback, and light gaming without additional hardware. It also wins on power efficiency, drawing 36 W less than the Intel part while delivering slightly higher average performance. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.80 GHz and 4.20 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) provide a clock-speed advantage in single-threaded workloads, as reflected in its Geekbench single-core score of 459.

The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 wins in scenarios involving large datasets that benefit from its 12 MB shared L2 cache. This three-fold cache advantage over the AMD part's 4 MB could improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads. The unlocked multiplier makes it the better choice for overclocking enthusiasts who want to push clock speeds beyond stock settings. Its dual-die design with 820 million transistors on a 45 nm process may appeal to users with existing Socket 775 platforms who want to upgrade without changing motherboards.

For memory flexibility, the Intel part supports DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3, while the AMD part only supports DDR3. This makes the Intel chip adaptable to older memory configurations. However, the AMD part provides a specified memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, which is a concrete performance figure for memory-intensive tasks.

The data ultimately shows two processors that perform nearly identically on average, with the AMD part holding a 0.5% edge. The choice between them hinges on platform requirements: the AMD A10-5800B suits builds needing integrated graphics and lower power draw, while the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 suits existing Socket 775 owners and overclockers willing to accept higher power consumption. Neither chip can claim a decisive benchmark victory over the other.