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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a close contest between these two AMD APUs, with each taking one of the two measured tests. The AMD A10-7850K wins the Geekbench multicore test by a narrow margin, scoring 1139 against the AMD A10-5800K's 1102, a delta of 3.4%. This is a modest but consistent advantage in threaded workloads, reflecting the newer architecture's efficiency improvements.

In the Geekbench singlecore test, the AMD A10-5800K edges out the A10-7850K by the slimmest possible margin: 454 versus 453, a delta of -0.2% from the A10-7850K's perspective. This is effectively a tie, but the data records the A10-5800K as the winner. The difference is within run-to-run variance, so treat single-threaded performance as essentially equal.

The average benchmark score tells a similar story. The A10-7850K posts an average of 796, while the A10-5800K averages 778. That is an 18-point gap, or roughly 2.3% overall. Both CPUs sit at the 21st percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier relative to the broader market.

Looking at the nearest rivals for context, the A10-7850K's 796 average places it just 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G (797) and 0.2% ahead of the AMD A6-9400 (794). The A10-5800K's 778 average is exactly matched by the Intel Pentium G4520 (delta 0%), with the AMD Athlon X4 760K just 0.2% behind at 777. Both APUs are clearly in a competitive segment populated by entry-level desktop and embedded parts.

Where Each One Wins

The A10-7850K wins where thread scaling matters. Its 3.4% lead in Geekbench multicore over the A10-5800K indicates that heavily threaded applications, such as video encoding, compilation, or multitasking with multiple background workloads, will see a measurable improvement. The data does not specify a core-count advantage, as both have 4 cores and 4 threads, so the gain comes from architectural efficiency rather than additional resources.

The A10-5800K wins the singlecore test, but the margin is negligible. A 0.2% delta is not something a user would notice in everyday use. For lightly threaded tasks like web browsing, office productivity, or older games that rely on a single fast core, both parts will perform indistinguishably. The recorded win is technically real, but practically it is a statistical tie.

For mixed workloads, the A10-7850K's higher average benchmark score (796 vs 778) suggests it is the better all-rounder. The A10-5800K's higher base clock (3.80 GHz) and boost clock (4.20 GHz) do not translate into a performance lead in the aggregate data, which points to the A10-7850K making better use of each clock cycle.

Architecture Differences

The A10-7850K uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, while the A10-5800K uses Piledriver, codenamed Trinity. This is a generational shift within AMD's APU lineup. Steamroller was designed to improve instructions per clock (IPC) over Piledriver, and the benchmark data supports that: the A10-7850K achieves a higher multicore score despite lower clock speeds.

The process node differs significantly. The A10-7850K is built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, while the A10-5800K uses a 32 nm process, also at GlobalFoundries. The smaller node allows the A10-7850K to pack more transistors: 2,411 million versus 1,303 million. Die size is nearly identical, at 245 mm² for the A10-7850K and 246 mm² for the A10-5800K, which means the newer part crams nearly twice the transistors into the same physical area.

Cache structures differ in the L1. The A10-7850K has 256 KB of L1 cache, while the A10-5800K has 192 KB. Both have 4 MB of L2, but the A10-5800K's L2 is marked as shared, suggesting a unified pool across all cores. The A10-7850K's L2 is listed without that qualifier, implying a per-module arrangement. Neither part has L3 cache.

Integrated graphics also differ. The A10-7850K carries Radeon R7 graphics, while the A10-5800K has Radeon HD 7660D. The newer R7 iGPU is part of the Kaveri design and benefits from the architecture's unified memory architecture, though the database does not provide specific graphics benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The two parts differ on several key specifications. The A10-7850K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the A10-5800K runs higher at 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. Despite the A10-5800K's clock advantage, the A10-7850K still wins multicore, reinforcing the architectural efficiency gain.

Thermal design power (TDP) is lower on the A10-7850K at 95 W, versus 100 W for the A10-5800K. This is notable given the A10-7850K's higher transistor count and smaller process node. The socket also differs: the A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the A10-5800K uses the older AMD Socket FM2. These are not physically interchangeable, so motherboard compatibility is a deciding factor.

PCIe support is another split. The A10-7850K offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the A10-5800K is limited to PCIe Gen 2. This affects bandwidth for discrete graphics cards and NVMe storage, though the database does not quantify the real-world impact. The A10-7850K also lists a memory bus as "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)" in the PCIe field, while the A10-5800K does not specify lane count.

The A10-5800K lists a dual-channel memory bus and a 29.9 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, while the A10-7850K's memory bus and bandwidth fields are null in the database. Both support DDR3 memory, and neither supports ECC. Both have unlocked multipliers, so overclocking is possible on either, assuming the motherboard and cooling allow it.

Release dates differ by over a year: the A10-7850K launched in January 2014, while the A10-5800K launched in October 2012. Both are marked as end-of-life production status. The part numbers are distinct, and neither has a launch MSRP recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-5800K runs at 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, while the AMD A10-7850K runs at 3.70 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost.

Q: What is the performance difference in the multicore test?

A: The A10-7850K scores 1139 in Geekbench multicore, which is 3.4% ahead of the A10-5800K's 1102.

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The A10-5800K wins the singlecore test with a score of 454, just 0.2% ahead of the A10-7850K's 453. This is effectively a tie.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power?

A: The A10-7850K has a TDP of 95 W, while the A10-5800K has a TDP of 100 W.

Q: Are the sockets compatible with each other?

A: No, the A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the A10-5800K uses AMD Socket FM2. They are different sockets.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD A10-7850K as the superior part for most users. It wins the multicore benchmark by a clear margin (3.4%), has a higher average benchmark score (796 vs 778), runs at a lower TDP (95 W vs 100 W), and uses a newer 28 nm process with more transistors (2,411 million vs 1,303 million). The only measurable loss is a 0.2% singlecore deficit, which is negligible in practice.

The A10-5800K retains a narrow claim in single-threaded performance, but the delta is too small to justify a purchase decision on that basis. Its higher clock speeds do not overcome the A10-7850K's architectural advantages in the aggregate data. The A10-5800K also uses the older FM2 socket and PCIe Gen 2, which limits upgrade paths and bandwidth for modern peripherals.

For a builder choosing between these two used or end-of-life parts, the A10-7850K is the better pick if the system can accept an FM2+ motherboard. The lower TDP means less heat output, and the 28 nm node suggests better efficiency per watt. The A10-5800K only makes sense if a user already owns an FM2 motherboard or finds one at a significantly lower price, though the database does not provide pricing data.

In terms of market positioning, both sit at the 21st percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are entry-level parts by modern standards. The A10-7850K's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G and Intel Pentium Silver J5040, while the A10-5800K matches the Intel Pentium G4520 exactly. Neither part will compete with modern mid-range processors, but within their own comparison, the A10-7850K is the measured winner. Choose the A10-7850K for better multicore performance and lower power draw; choose the A10-5800K only if socket compatibility forces your hand.