AMD A10-5800K vs Intel Core i3-7100 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i3-7100 compare to the AMD A10-5800K in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 has an average benchmark score of 781, while the AMD A10-5800K scores 778. The difference is 0.4% in favor of the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i3-7100 has 2 cores. However, the Intel chip supports 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, so both CPUs present 4 logical threads to the operating system.

Q: What are the base clock speeds of these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 has a base clock of 3.90 GHz. The AMD A10-5800K has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L2 cache?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has 4 MB of shared L2 cache. The Intel Core i3-7100 has 256 KB of L2 cache per core, which totals 512 KB across both cores.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD A10-5800K supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is still in active production?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100 is listed as Active in production status. The AMD A10-5800K is listed as End-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i3-7100 winning both available benchmark comparisons. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel chip scores 1501 against 1102 for the AMD A10-5800K, a delta of 36.2%. In Geekbench singlecore, the Intel chip scores 722 against 454, a delta of 59%. That means the Intel processor wins every direct comparison in the database.

However, the AMD A10-5800K has structural advantages that do not appear in the benchmark results. It offers 4 physical cores, which can be relevant for workloads that scale with core count, even if the recorded benchmarks do not reflect that advantage. The AMD chip also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing user-controlled overclocking within the limits of the motherboard and cooling solution. Its integrated graphics, the Radeon HD 7660D, is a desktop-class iGPU that may handle display output and light graphics tasks without a discrete card.

The Intel Core i3-7100 wins on efficiency and memory bandwidth. Its TDP is 51 watts versus 100 watts for the AMD chip. Its DDR4 support provides 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 28.4% higher than the AMD chip's 29.9 GB/s. The Intel chip also runs on a newer process node, 14 nm versus 32 nm, which contributes to the lower power draw.

For users prioritizing raw single-thread performance, the data heavily favors the Intel chip. For users who need four physical cores and an unlocked multiplier, the AMD chip offers those features, but the benchmark results indicate that those features do not translate into higher recorded scores.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-7100 is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. The AMD A10-5800K uses Piledriver architecture on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This process node difference is significant, as the smaller node generally allows for lower power consumption and higher clock efficiency.

The Intel chip has 2 cores and 4 threads, indicating support for simultaneous multithreading. The AMD chip has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, meaning each core handles exactly one thread. The Intel chip's base clock is 3.90 GHz, while the AMD chip's base clock is 3.80 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Intel Core i3-7100 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD A10-5800K has 192 KB of L1 cache total and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed. The AMD chip relies on a larger shared L2 pool, while the Intel chip uses a three-level hierarchy.

The memory controllers differ: the Intel chip supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip supports DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The PCIe interface also differs, with the Intel chip providing Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the AMD chip provides Gen 2 without a lane count specified.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The Intel Core i3-7100 includes Intel HD 630, while the AMD A10-5800K includes Radeon HD 7660D. The AMD chip's iGPU was part of the Trinity APU design, which emphasized integrated graphics performance as a selling point.

The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip does not. The AMD chip also has a documented transistor count of 1,303 million and a die size of 246 mm², while the Intel chip does not have those figures listed. The AMD chip is end-of-life, while the Intel chip remains active in production.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Intel 2, AMD 4
• Threads: Intel 4, AMD 4
• Base clock: Intel 3.90 GHz, AMD 3.80 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel none, AMD 4.20 GHz
• TDP: Intel 51 W, AMD 100 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151, AMD Socket FM2
• Architecture: Kaby Lake, Piledriver
• Codename: Kaby Lake, Trinity
• Generation: Core i3 (Kaby Lake), A10 (Trinity)
• Process node: 14 nm, 32 nm
• Foundry: Intel, GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: not listed, 1,303 million
• Die size: not listed, 246 mm²
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core, 192 KB total
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core, 4 MB shared
• L3 cache: 3 MB shared, none
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR3
• Memory bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s, 29.9 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only), Gen 2
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 630, Radeon HD 7660D
• Production status: Active, End-of-life
• Release date: 2017-01-02, 2012-10-01
• Multiplier unlocked: false, true
• Part number: SR35C, AD580KWOA44HJAD580KWOHJBOX

Fields that are identical or not listed include: series (both null), ECC memory (both false), market segment (both Desktop), launch MSRP (both null), and total L3 (both null).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparisons available are in Geekbench, covering both multicore and singlecore tests.

In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Core i3-7100 scores 1501 against 1102 for the AMD A10-5800K. The delta is 36.2% in favor of the Intel chip. This is a substantial margin, especially considering the AMD chip has twice as many physical cores. The Intel chip's higher IPC, newer architecture, and superior memory bandwidth likely contribute to this result, though the data does not specify causal factors.

In Geekbench singlecore, the Intel Core i3-7100 scores 722 against 454 for the AMD A10-5800K. The delta is 59% in favor of the Intel chip. This is an even larger margin than the multicore result. The AMD chip's boost clock of 4.20 GHz does not help it close the gap, as the Intel chip's base clock of 3.90 GHz with a more efficient architecture produces a much higher single-thread score.

The Intel chip wins both head-to-head benchmarks, giving it a 2-0 record. The AMD chip has no wins in the recorded data. However, the average benchmark scores are very close: 781 for Intel versus 778 for AMD, a 0.4% difference. This suggests that outside of Geekbench, other workloads may yield similar overall results, though the database does not include those specific comparisons.

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core i3-7100 include the AMD A10-5800K with a delta of 0.4%, the Intel Pentium G4520 with a delta of 0.4%, the AMD Athlon X4 760K with a delta of 0.6%, and the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 with a delta of 0.7%. For the AMD A10-5800K, the nearest rivals are the Intel Pentium G4520 with a delta of 0%, the AMD Athlon X4 760K with a delta of 0.2%, the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 with a delta of 0.3%, and the Intel Core i3-7100 with a delta of -0.4%. These figures show that both CPUs sit in a tightly clustered performance tier.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear winner in direct benchmark comparisons: the Intel Core i3-7100 outperforms the AMD A10-5800K by 36.2% in Geekbench multicore and by 59% in Geekbench singlecore. For users whose workloads are represented by these benchmarks, the Intel chip is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core i3-7100 also offers significant efficiency advantages. Its TDP of 51 watts is less than half of the AMD chip's 100 watts. It supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, which is 28.4% higher than the AMD chip's DDR3 bandwidth. The 14 nm process node versus 32 nm contributes to these efficiency gains. The Intel chip remains in active production, while the AMD chip is end-of-life.

The AMD A10-5800K has its own merits. It provides 4 physical cores, which may benefit workloads that prefer physical cores over logical threads, even though the recorded benchmarks do not show such a benefit. Its unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, giving enthusiasts manual control over clock speeds. Its integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics may offer different capabilities compared to the Intel HD 630, though the database does not include iGPU benchmarks for either chip.

For users building a new system today, the Intel Core i3-7100 is the more sensible pick based on the recorded data. It wins every direct comparison, consumes less power, supports newer memory technology, and uses a more advanced manufacturing process. The AMD A10-5800K, being end-of-life and based on a 2012 design, is harder to recommend for new builds.

For users who already own an FM2 motherboard and seek an upgrade path, the AMD A10-5800K may still be relevant, but the data does not support a performance advantage over the Intel chip. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with a 0.4% difference, so in mixed workloads the two processors may feel similar. However, in the specific tests recorded, the Intel Core i3-7100 is the definitive winner.