AMD A10-5800K vs Intel Core i5-680 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the AMD A10-5800K and the Intel Core i5-680?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-680 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has an average benchmark score of 778. The Intel Core i5-680 has an average benchmark score of 772. The difference is 6 points, or about 0.8% in favor of the AMD chip.

Q: What is the clock speed range for each processor?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Core i5-680 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.87 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. However, the AMD A10-5800K has a higher memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-680 has 21.3 GB/s.

Q: What is the production status of both chips?

A: Both the AMD A10-5800K and the Intel Core i5-680 are end-of-life products.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache configuration?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-680 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The AMD A10-5800K is built on the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Trinity, and manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 32 nm process. The chip package contains 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. It uses the AMD Socket FM2 and features an integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics unit. The processor has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy consists of 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The memory controller supports DDR3 in dual-channel mode and delivers a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The PCIe interface is Gen 2. The multiplier is unlocked, making it a candidate for overclocking.

The Intel Core i5-680 is based on the Westmere architecture, codenamed Clarkdale, and manufactured by Intel on a 32 nm process. The die contains 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die. It uses Intel Socket 1156 and includes integrated Intel HD graphics. The processor has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.87 GHz. The cache layout is different: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is DDR3 in dual-channel mode with a bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The PCIe interface is Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. The multiplier is locked.

The architectural differences are significant in several dimensions. The AMD chip offers twice the physical core count, while the Intel chip matches thread count through simultaneous multithreading. The AMD chip has a higher base and boost clock, and a wider memory bandwidth figure. The Intel chip includes an L3 cache, which the AMD chip lacks entirely. The transistor count and die size differ substantially, reflecting different design philosophies: AMD uses a larger die with more transistors, while Intel uses a smaller die with fewer transistors. Both are on the same 32 nm process node. The TDP values also differ, with the AMD chip rated at 100 W and the Intel chip at 73 W.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two processors that land in the same performance percentile: both sit at the 21st percentile against all CPUs in the database. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD A10-5800K at 778 and the Intel Core i5-680 at 772. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the Intel Pentium G4520 at 778 (0% delta), the AMD Athlon X4 760K at 777 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i3-7100 at 781 (-0.4% delta). The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the Intel Core i7-3687U at 773 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Celeron G5920 at 775 (-0.4% delta), and the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 at 776 (-0.5% delta). Both processors are surrounded by similar-tier parts, and neither pulls away from the other in aggregate scoring.

For users who prioritize raw core count and a higher clock ceiling, the AMD A10-5800K presents the stronger case on paper. Its 4 physical cores, 4.20 GHz boost clock, and unlocked multiplier give it a structural advantage in workloads that scale across cores. The higher memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s also supports memory-intensive tasks. However, the database only records two Geekbench results for this chip: a multicore score of 1102 and a singlecore score of 454.

For users who value cache depth and power efficiency, the Intel Core i5-680 is the more refined design. Its 4 MB of shared L3 cache compensates for a smaller physical core count, and its 73 W TDP is considerably lower than the AMD chip's 100 W. The database records a broader set of Cinebench results for the Intel chip: R15 multicore at 226, R20 multicore at 942, R20 singlecore at 132, R23 multicore at 2243, and R23 singlecore at 316. The Intel chip also carries a launch MSRP of $294.

The data does not declare a single winner. The AMD A10-5800K is the better choice for users who need four physical cores and an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-680 is the better choice for users who need lower power draw, a shared L3 cache, and a more extensive benchmark record in the database. The average scores are close enough that workload specifics will determine the practical winner.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD A10-5800K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-680 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz for AMD and 3.60 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.20 GHz for AMD and 3.87 GHz for Intel. The TDP is 100 W for AMD and 73 W for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FM2 versus Intel Socket 1156.

The cache configurations are distinct. AMD offers 192 KB of L1 and 4 MB of shared L2, with no L3. Intel offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s for AMD and 21.3 GB/s for Intel. Both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory.

The PCIe implementation differs slightly. AMD lists Gen 2 without lane specification, while Intel lists Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon HD 7660D, while Intel uses Intel HD. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD chip and locked on the Intel chip. The transistor count is 1,303 million for AMD versus 382 million for Intel. Die sizes are 246 mm² for AMD versus 81 mm² for Intel. The release dates differ, with the Intel chip released earlier. The part numbers are also different: AD580KWOA44HJAD580KWOHJBOX for AMD and SLBTM for Intel. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $294, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark comparison table in the database is empty, meaning there are no direct paired test results between these two specific processors. Instead, the analysis must rely on the separately recorded benchmark scores for each chip.

The AMD A10-5800K has two recorded Geekbench scores. Its multicore score is 1102. Its singlecore score is 454. The Intel Core i5-680 has no Geekbench scores in the database, so a direct comparison on that test is not possible.

The Intel Core i5-680 has five recorded Cinebench scores. Its Cinebench R15 multicore score is 226. Its Cinebench R20 multicore score is 942, and its Cinebench R20 singlecore score is 132. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 2243, and its Cinebench R23 singlecore score is 316. The AMD A10-5800K has no Cinebench scores in the database, so a direct comparison on that test is also not possible.

Given that the two chips have no overlapping benchmark tests in the database, the aggregate average benchmark score becomes the primary comparative metric. The AMD chip averages 778 across its recorded tests, while the Intel chip averages 772 across its recorded tests. The delta is 6 points, or roughly 0.8%. The AMD chip's nearest rival at exactly 778 is the Intel Pentium G4520, which has a 0% delta, indicating the AMD chip performs at parity with that Intel part. The Intel chip's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-3687U at 773, a -0.1% delta, placing the i5-680 just below that rival.

The percentile ranking is identical at 21 for both. This suggests that despite the architectural differences, both processors occupy the same tier in the overall performance distribution. The AMD chip's higher core count and clock speeds do not translate into a higher percentile, nor does the Intel chip's L3 cache and lower TDP. The data shows two processors that are effectively peers in aggregate performance, with the AMD chip holding a slight numerical edge in average score.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-5800K wins in scenarios where its physical core count and clock speeds matter. The 4.20 GHz boost clock is the highest boost figure between the two, and the 4 core configuration provides more parallel execution resources than the Intel chip's 2 cores. The unlocked multiplier gives the AMD chip an overclocking path that the Intel chip does not have. The memory bandwidth advantage, 29.9 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s, also favors the AMD chip in memory-heavy tasks. The recorded Geekbench multicore score of 1102 demonstrates that the chip can deliver meaningful multi-threaded performance. Users running workloads that scale across four physical cores, such as content creation or compilation tasks, will find the AMD chip better suited. The larger die and higher transistor count, 1,303 million versus 382 million, reflect a more complex and wider design.

The Intel Core i5-680 wins in scenarios where power efficiency and cache depth are priorities. The 73 W TDP is 27 W lower than the AMD chip's 100 W, making it the more power-conscious choice. The 4 MB of shared L3 cache provides a larger fast-memory pool than the AMD chip, which has no L3 cache at all. The Cinebench results recorded for the Intel chip show a balanced profile: Cinebench R23 multicore at 2243 and Cinebench R23 singlecore at 316. These scores indicate that the chip can handle both multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering tasks competently. The smaller die size, 81 mm² versus 246 mm², and lower transistor count, 382 million, suggest a more efficient design in terms of silicon area. The launch MSRP of $294 provides a reference point for its original market positioning.

The data does not support a blanket recommendation. The AMD A10-5800K wins on core count, clock speed, memory bandwidth, and overclocking flexibility. The Intel Core i5-680 wins on power draw, L3 cache presence, and benchmark coverage in the database. For users who care about physical core count and raw clock speed, the AMD chip is the stronger pick. For users who care about power efficiency and cache hierarchy, the Intel chip is the stronger pick. The average scores are nearly tied, so the deciding factor should be the specific workload and system requirements.