AMD A10-5800B vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD A10-5800B compare to the Intel Pentium G4520 in overall benchmark performance?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has an average benchmark score of 794, while the Intel Pentium G4520 scores 778. The A10-5800B ranks at the 21st percentile of all CPUs, and the Pentium G4520 also sits at the 21st percentile, placing both processors in the same performance tier.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD A10-5800B features 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Pentium G4520 has 2 cores and 2 threads. This means the AMD part offers double the core and thread count of the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has a base clock of 3.80 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Pentium G4520's base clock of 3.60 GHz. The AMD chip also has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel processor has no boost clock capability listed.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD A10-5800B has a TDP of 100 watts, while the Intel Pentium G4520 has a much lower TDP of 51 watts. This makes the Intel processor significantly more power-efficient in terms of thermal output.

Q: When were these processors released?

A: The AMD A10-5800B was released on 2012-10-01, while the Intel Pentium G4520 was released later on 2015-08-31. The AMD part is marked as end-of-life, whereas the Intel processor remains active in production status.

Q: What integrated graphics do these CPUs include?

A: The AMD A10-5800B comes with a Radeon HD 7660D, while the Intel Pentium G4520 includes an Intel HD 530. Both provide integrated graphics solutions, but they are different implementations from each manufacturer.

Architecture Differences

The AMD A10-5800B and Intel Pentium G4520 represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD chip uses the Piledriver architecture with the Trinity codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. In contrast, the Intel Pentium G4520 employs the Skylake architecture, also with the Skylake codename, manufactured on a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry. This process node difference is substantial: 32 nm versus 14 nm, which contributes to the significant gap in power consumption and die size.

The AMD A10-5800B packs 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die, while the Intel Pentium G4520 contains 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 150 mm² die. Despite having fewer transistors, the Intel chip achieves a higher transistor density due to its more advanced manufacturing process.

Cache hierarchies differ notably between the two. The AMD part has a 192 KB L1 cache and a shared 4 MB L2 cache with no L3 cache. The Intel processor offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. This gives the Intel chip a more layered cache structure, while the AMD processor relies on a larger shared L2 pool.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD A10-5800B supports only DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration, providing 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also in dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. This additional memory flexibility and bandwidth advantage favors the Intel part.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD processor uses PCIe Gen 2, while the Intel chip offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available for CPU-only usage. The Intel solution provides newer, faster connectivity for expansion devices.

Integrated graphics represent another architectural split. The AMD A10-5800B integrates a Radeon HD 7660D, which is part of its APU design philosophy, while the Intel Pentium G4520 includes Intel HD 530. Both processors target desktop use, but the AMD APU approach places greater emphasis on GPU capability within a single chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data available for these two CPUs shows an interesting split in test coverage. The AMD A10-5800B has recorded scores in Geekbench tests, while the Intel Pentium G4520 has data from the Cinebench suite. This makes direct comparisons somewhat limited, but the available numbers still reveal performance characteristics.

In Geekbench multicore testing, the AMD A10-5800B scores 1128 points. In Geekbench single-core testing, it achieves 459 points. These scores place the AMD part in the 21st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 794.

The Intel Pentium G4520 shows its strength in Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 227 points. In Cinebench R20, it records 949 points multicore and 133 points single-core. The Cinebench R23 tests show 2261 points multicore and 319 points single-core. The Intel chip's average benchmark score is 778.

When comparing average scores, the AMD A10-5800B leads with 794 versus the Intel's 778, a difference of about 2%. The nearest rival data confirms these are closely matched processors. The AMD A10-5800B's closest rival is the AMD A6-9400 with a score of 794 and a delta of -0.1%, meaning they are essentially identical. The Intel Pentium G4520's nearest rival is the AMD A10-5800K with a score of 778 and a delta of 0%, indicating a perfect match.

The delta percentages show how tightly these processors cluster. The AMD A10-5800B is within 0.5% of the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770, which scores 790. The Intel Pentium G4520 is within 0.4% of the Intel Core i3-7100, which scores 781. These margins are small enough that real-world differences would be difficult to perceive.

The data suggests that in multicore workloads where the AMD's four cores can be utilized, it likely holds an advantage, given its higher core count and average score. However, the Intel chip's modern architecture and higher single-core scores in Cinebench R23 (319 points) indicate potential strength in lightly threaded tasks. The benchmark record shows no direct head-to-head tests, so these inferences come from the available test suites and the overall average scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD A10-5800B uses AMD Socket FM2, while the Intel Pentium G4520 uses Intel Socket 1151, making them incompatible with each other's motherboards.

Clock speeds favor the AMD part. The A10-5800B has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Pentium G4520 runs at 3.60 GHz base with no boost clock available. The AMD chip's boost capability adds flexibility under load.

Core configuration heavily favors AMD: 4 cores and 4 threads versus Intel's 2 cores and 2 threads. This doubles the parallel processing capacity of the AMD processor.

Power consumption strongly favors Intel. The AMD A10-5800B draws 100 watts TDP, while the Intel Pentium G4520 requires only 51 watts, making the Intel chip nearly half as power-hungry.

Manufacturing details differ: AMD uses a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries with 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. Intel uses a 14 nm process at Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 150 mm² die. The Intel chip is fabricated on a more advanced node with higher transistor density.

Cache configurations are distinct. AMD offers 192 KB L1, 4 MB shared L2, and no L3. Intel provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Intel part's per-core L1 and L2 allocation scales with its two-core design.

Memory support favors Intel: DDR3 and DDR4 support versus AMD's DDR3-only. Both use dual-channel buses, but Intel's bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s exceeds AMD's 29.9 GB/s.

PCIe generation favors Intel: Gen 3 with 16 lanes versus AMD's Gen 2. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Release timing differs by about three years: AMD launched on 2012-10-01, Intel on 2015-08-31. The AMD part is end-of-life, while Intel remains active.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict based on workload priorities. For multi-core and multi-threaded applications, the AMD A10-5800B deserves consideration due to its 4-core design and higher average benchmark score of 794 versus 778. The AMD chip also leads in raw clock speed, with a 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, which can benefit tasks that respond to frequency.

For power-conscious builds, the Intel Pentium G4520 is the obvious choice. Its 51 watt TDP versus the AMD's 100 watts makes it dramatically more efficient. The Intel chip also offers modern platform features including PCIe Gen 3, DDR4 memory support, and a 14 nm process, which brings architectural advantages despite lower core count.

The benchmark percentiles tell the story of parity: both processors sit at the 21st percentile of all CPUs. The AMD A10-5800B's nearest rivals cluster within 0.5% of its score, and the Intel Pentium G4520's rivals fall within 0.4%. This means neither chip dominates the other in overall performance.

Users needing maximum multi-threaded throughput should favor the AMD A10-5800B. Users prioritizing efficiency, modern connectivity, and a newer platform should select the Intel Pentium G4520. The choice ultimately depends on whether core count or architectural modernity matters more for the intended workload.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-5800B wins in scenarios that leverage its 4 cores and 4 threads. Multi-threaded productivity tasks, content creation workloads, and any application that can distribute work across all cores will benefit from the AMD's doubled core count relative to the Intel part. Its higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz also give it an edge in frequency-sensitive operations. The higher average benchmark score of 794 confirms its overall performance lead.

The Intel Pentium G4520 wins in efficiency-focused environments. Its 51 watt TDP makes it suitable for compact systems, always-on machines, or builds where power consumption and heat output matter. The 14 nm process and Skylake architecture bring modern instruction set advantages. Support for DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 make it more future-proof for platform upgrades. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 319 indicates strong per-thread performance, which benefits single-threaded applications like older games or lightly threaded productivity software.

For system builders, the AMD A10-5800B fits best in budget-oriented multi-core workstations where raw thread count matters more than efficiency. The Intel Pentium G4520 suits compact, quiet, or power-constrained builds where its lower TDP and modern platform features outweigh the core count disadvantage. The benchmark data shows both processors performing within 2% of each other on average, so the deciding factors should be power requirements, platform preferences, and the specific threading characteristics of the target applications.