AMD A10-5800B vs Intel Core i7-870S Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the Intel Core i7-870S and AMD A10-5800B compare in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i7-870S has an average benchmark score of 809, placing it in the 22nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD A10-5800B scores 794 on average, landing in the 21st percentile. The i7-870S holds a narrow lead of about 1.9% in aggregate performance.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each processor?

A: The i7-870S has 4 physical cores and supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading. The A10-5800B also has 4 physical cores but only 4 threads, as it lacks simultaneous multi-threading. This gives the Intel chip a significant advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

Q: What integrated graphics does the AMD processor include?

A: The A10-5800B integrates a Radeon HD 7660D graphics processor on the die. The Intel Core i7-870S has no integrated graphics listed in its specifications, meaning a discrete graphics card is mandatory for the Intel platform.

Q: What are the clock speeds of the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-870S has a base clock of 2.67 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The AMD A10-5800B operates at a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boosts up to 4.20 GHz. The AMD chip has a significant raw clock frequency advantage.

Q: Which processor was released more recently?

A: The AMD A10-5800B was released on October 2, 2012. The Intel Core i7-870S was released about two years earlier, on July 19, 2010. Both processors are now end-of-life products.

Q: How do their cache hierarchies differ?

A: The i7-870S has a three-level cache hierarchy: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The A10-5800B has a combined 192 KB L1 cache and a shared 4 MB L2 cache, with no L3 cache present.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-870S and AMD A10-5800B represent fundamentally different design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The i7-870S is built on Intel's Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename. It uses a 45 nm process node manufactured by Intel, containing 774 million transistors on a die size of 296 mm². This is a traditional high-performance desktop design focused on CPU throughput, with a complex out-of-order execution engine and support for simultaneous multi-threading that allows it to process 8 threads across its 4 cores.

The A10-5800B, conversely, is an AMD Piledriver architecture, codenamed Trinity. This is a 32 nm processor fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with a much higher transistor count of 1,303 million packed into a smaller die size of 246 mm². The Piledriver design uses a module-based construction where each module shares certain execution resources, which is why the processor has only 4 threads despite having 4 cores. This is a notable departure from Intel's approach, which focuses on maximizing per-core performance and leveraging multi-threading for workloads that can use it.

The integrated memory controller and cache hierarchy also differ significantly. The i7-870S has a three-tier cache structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a large 8 MB shared L3 cache. This L3 cache is critical for holding frequently accessed data across all cores. The A10-5800B has a simpler design with 192 KB of total L1 and 4 MB of shared L2, but no L3 cache. This reduces the cache capacity available to the CPU, which can be a bottleneck in data-intensive tasks.

The process node difference is stark: 45 nm for Intel versus 32 nm for AMD. This gives AMD a slight lithographic advantage in terms of feature size, but the Intel design is still able to deliver competitive performance due to its stronger architecture and higher IPC. The memory support is similar in bandwidth, however, with both using dual-channel DDR3. The AMD chip has a listed memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Intel chip does not have a listed bandwidth figure in the database.

The integrated graphics situation is a major architectural differentiator. The i7-870S has no integrated graphics, meaning it relies on a discrete GPU. The A10-5800B has built-in Radeon HD 7660D graphics, which makes it a true APU (Accelerated Processing Unit). This allows the AMD platform to operate without a separate graphics card, although its graphics performance is limited compared to modern discrete solutions.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows no head-to-head benchmarks that directly compare the two CPUs in the same tests. Instead, the database contains separate benchmark suites for each processor, which must be analyzed across their respective tests. This makes a direct apples-to-apples comparison difficult, but the average benchmark scores provide a useful baseline.

The Intel i7-870S has a large set of Cinebench scores. In Cinebench R15 multi-core it scores 236 points. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core score is 987, and its single-core score is 139. In the more modern Cinebench R23 test, it achieves 2350 multi-core and 331 single-core. These scores show the chip's strength in both single and multi-threaded rendering tasks, with the multi-core scores showing decent scaling from the 4-core/8-thread configuration.

The AMD A10-5800B is analyzed with Geekbench tests. It scores 1128 in Geekbench multi-core and 459 in Geekbench single-core. While these are different benchmarks from the Cinebench suite, they still indicate the AMD's capabilities. The single-core score of 459 in Geekbench suggests a strong per-clock performance, but the multi-core score is limited by the lack of multi-threading, as it only has 4 threads.

The average benchmark score for each CPU is the most direct comparable metric. The i7-870S has an average of 809, and the A10-5800B has an average of 794. This places the Intel chip slightly higher overall. The nearest rivals for the i7-870S include the AMD A10-6800K with a 0% delta, the AMD Athlon X4 850 with a 0.4% delta, and the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 with a -0.5% delta. This shows the i7-870S sits around the same performance level as several other 2010-2013 era CPUs.

The A10-5800B rivals include AMD A6-9400 with a -0.1% delta, AMD A10-7850K with a -0.3% delta, and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 with a 0.5% delta. This places the A10-5800B in a similar performance tier to the i7-870S, with both chips sitting in the 21st to 22nd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-870S | AMD A10-5800B |

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

| Base Clock | 2.67 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| TDP | 82 W | 100 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | AMD Socket FM2 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Piledriver |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Trinity |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 774 million | 1,303 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 246 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 4 MB (shared) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | None |

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

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon HD 7660D |

| Release Date | 2010-07-19 | 2012-10-02 |

| Part Number | SLBQ7 | AD580BWOA44HJ |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-870S wins in scenarios that benefit from multi-threading. With 8 threads available versus the AMD's 4 threads, the Intel chip excels in applications that can utilize more than 4 processing threads. This includes video rendering, 3D modeling, and certain scientific simulations. The presence of an 8 MB L3 cache also helps with workloads that repeatedly access a large working set of data. The i7-870S also has a lower TDP of 82 W compared to the A10's 100 W, which means it is more efficient in power usage in a desktop environment. However, its performance is limited by its slower clock speeds.

The AMD A10-5800B, on the other hand, wins in specific use cases. Its biggest advantage is the integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics. For users who need a basic system without a discrete GPU, the A10-5800B is a complete solution. The higher base and boost clocks of 3.80 GHz and 4.20 GHz give it a clear edge in lightly threaded tasks, such as typical office productivity, web browsing, and older games that rely on single-core performance. The A10-5800B also has a higher memory bandwidth, which helps the integrated graphics perform better.

The data suggests that the i7-870S is the better choice for a multi-threaded workstation, provided a discrete graphics card is already available. Its 8 threads and large L3 cache allow it to handle parallel workloads efficiently. The A10-5800B is a better fit for a basic system where cost and simplicity are paramount, and where the integrated graphics can handle light gaming or media playback. The benchmarks show that the i7-870S has a slight overall average score advantage of 809 versus 794 for the A10-5800B, but the difference is small enough that the intended use case should dictate the choice. The i7-870S is a more balanced performer overall, while the A10-5800B offers specific benefits in clock speed and graphics capability.