AMD A10-5800K vs Intel Pentium G4520 Comparison

The AMD A10-5800K and the Intel Pentium G4520 occupy nearly identical positions in the database’s aggregate rankings. Both processors record an average benchmark score of 778, placing them at the 21st percentile of all CPUs tracked. The head-to-head comparison is therefore defined by close margins and differing architectural strengths. The A10-5800K is a quad-core Piledriver part from AMD’s Trinity generation, running at a base clock of 3.80 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Pentium G4520 is a dual-core Skylake part from Intel, running at a fixed 3.60 GHz with no boost capability. Their identical average score masks very different performance profiles, which the recorded benchmarks and architectural data clarify.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database includes direct benchmark results for each processor, though the available test suites differ between the two. For the AMD A10-5800K, the recorded measurements are from Geekbench: a multicore score of 1102 and a singlecore score of 454. For the Intel Pentium G4520, the recorded measurements are from Cinebench: R15 multicore at 227, R20 multicore at 949, R20 singlecore at 133, R23 multicore at 2261, and R23 singlecore at 319. Because the test suites do not overlap, the data does not permit a direct same-test comparison. Instead, the comparison rests on the aggregate average score and the relative positioning against shared rivals.

The most striking feature of the head-to-head data is the exact tie in average benchmark score. Both processors sit at 778, with a percentage difference of zero. The nearest rivals reinforce this clustering: the AMD Athlon X4 760K scores 777, a 0.2 percent difference from the A10 and Pentium, while the Intel Pentium Silver J5005 scores 776, a 0.3 percent difference. The Intel Core i3-7100 scores 781, which is 0.4 percent higher than either part. This places the A10-5800K and Pentium G4520 in an extremely tight performance band, where the spread across four processors is less than one percent.

Looking at the single-core results, the Pentium G4520 shows a notable advantage in its own test suite. Its Cinebench R20 singlecore score of 133 and R23 singlecore score of 319 demonstrate strong per-thread performance for a dual-core part. The A10-5800K’s Geekbench singlecore score of 454, while from a different benchmark, indicates a weaker single-thread showing relative to its multicore output. The A10’s multicore Geekbench score of 1102 versus its singlecore score of 454 produces a ratio of roughly 2.4, showing that the four cores scale well in parallel workloads. The Pentium’s R20 scores, 949 multicore versus 133 singlecore, produce a ratio of roughly 7.1, which reflects the small singlecore baseline and the efficiency of the Skylake architecture under multicore Cinebench loads.

The average score of 778 for both parts represents the database’s central measure of overall performance. The A10-5800K achieves this with four physical cores and a 4.20 GHz boost clock, while the Pentium G4520 achieves it with two physical cores and a 3.60 GHz fixed clock. The equal average indicates that the A10’s additional cores offset the Pentium’s superior per-core efficiency. The data shows no head-to-head benchmark entries where one processor directly wins over the other, so the comparison relies on the aggregate score and the architectural features documented for each part.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-5800K wins in scenarios that benefit from multiple cores. Its four cores and four threads, combined with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, make it the stronger candidate for parallel processing tasks. The Geekbench multicore score of 1102, paired with the singlecore score of 454, shows that the A10 scales effectively when all four cores are engaged. The processor also carries integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics, which gives it a graphics capability that the benchmark scores do not capture but that matters for systems without a discrete GPU. The A10’s unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, which can push performance beyond the stock 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost figures. For workloads that spread across cores, such as rendering or encoding, the A10’s four-core design provides a structural advantage over the dual-core Pentium.

The Intel Pentium G4520 wins in single-threaded and lightly threaded scenarios. Its Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 319 and R20 singlecore score of 133 indicate strong per-core performance, which matters for applications that rely on one or two threads. The Skylake architecture’s efficiency is evident in its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2261, which is high for a dual-core processor and suggests that even in multicore tests, the Pentium competes effectively. The Pentium also has a significantly lower TDP of 51 watts compared to the A10’s 100 watts, meaning it generates less heat and requires less cooling, though the database does not specify cooler requirements. The Pentium supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, which is higher than the A10’s 29.9 GB/s. This memory bandwidth advantage, combined with Gen 3 PCIe support versus the A10’s Gen 2, makes the Pentium the better fit for systems that prioritize memory throughput and modern I/O.

The production status also differentiates the two. The A10-5800K is end-of-life, while the Pentium G4520 is active. This affects availability but not measured performance. The A10’s release date of October 2012 and the Pentium’s release date of August 2015 show a three-year gap in design, which is reflected in the process node difference: 32 nm for the A10 and 14 nm for the Pentium. The smaller process node contributes to the Pentium’s lower TDP and higher efficiency.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of use cases. For users running parallel workloads that can use four cores, the AMD A10-5800K is the appropriate choice. Its four-core design, 4.20 GHz boost clock, and integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics make it a capable all-in-one desktop processor. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for overclocking. The Geekbench multicore score of 1102 demonstrates that the A10 can handle multicore tasks, and its average score of 778 ties the Pentium despite the Pentium’s architectural advantages.

For users running single-threaded applications or prioritizing efficiency, the Intel Pentium G4520 is the better pick. Its Cinebench singlecore scores, 319 in R23 and 133 in R20, show strong per-core performance. Its TDP of 51 watts is roughly half the A10’s 100 watts, and its memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s exceeds the A10’s 29.9 GB/s. The Pentium’s support for DDR3 and DDR4 memory and Gen 3 PCIe makes it more adaptable to modern motherboards. The fixed 3.60 GHz clock, while lower than the A10’s boost, does not require overclocking to deliver competitive results.

The tie in average score means that neither processor dominates the other. The database’s nearest rival data shows that the AMD Athlon X4 760K sits within 0.2 percent of both, and the Intel Core i3-7100 sits 0.4 percent higher. This indicates that the A10-5800K and Pentium G4520 are effectively equivalent in aggregate performance, and the choice should be driven by workload type and platform requirements. The A10 suits older FM2 motherboards and users who want four cores and integrated graphics. The Pentium suits Socket 1151 motherboards and users who want lower power consumption and stronger single-thread performance.

FAQ

Q: How do the average benchmark scores of the AMD A10-5800K and Intel Pentium G4520 compare?

A: Both processors have an identical average benchmark score of 778. The percentage difference between them is zero, placing them in a tie at the 21st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Pentium G4520 shows stronger single-core results in its recorded Cinebench tests. It scores 319 in Cinebench R23 singlecore and 133 in Cinebench R20 singlecore. The AMD A10-5800K scores 454 in Geekbench singlecore, but the tests are not directly comparable.

Q: Which processor is better for multicore workloads?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has four cores and four threads, compared to the Pentium G4520’s two cores and two threads. The A10 scores 1102 in Geekbench multicore, and its boost clock of 4.20 GHz helps in parallel tasks. The Pentium’s Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2261 shows it remains competitive despite having fewer cores.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two processors?

A: The AMD A10-5800K has a TDP of 100 watts, while the Intel Pentium G4520 has a TDP of 51 watts. The Pentium consumes less power and produces less heat.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: Yes. The AMD A10-5800K includes Radeon HD 7660D graphics, and the Intel Pentium G4520 includes Intel HD 530 graphics.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD A10-5800K supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Intel Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and manufacturing processes. The AMD A10-5800K uses the Piledriver architecture, part of the Trinity codename family, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Pentium G4520 uses the Skylake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel. The process node difference is substantial: 32 nm versus 14 nm, which contributes to the Pentium’s lower TDP of 51 watts compared to the A10’s 100 watts.

The core counts differ significantly. The A10-5800K has four cores and four threads, while the Pentium G4520 has two cores and two threads. The A10’s base clock is 3.80 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, whereas the Pentium runs at a fixed 3.60 GHz with no boost. The A10 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Pentium’s multiplier is locked.

Cache layouts also differ. The A10-5800K has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The Pentium G4520 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, plus 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache on the Pentium provides a shared cache level that the A10 lacks entirely.

Memory support varies. The A10-5800K supports DDR3 memory only, with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Pentium G4520 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, with a higher bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe support differs as well. The A10-5800K uses Gen 2 PCIe, while the Pentium G4520 uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the CPU. This makes the Pentium more suitable for modern expansion cards and NVMe storage.

The integrated graphics differ. The A10-5800K includes Radeon HD 7660D, while the Pentium G4520 includes Intel HD 530. The database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks, but both parts include an iGPU for basic display output.

Other physical attributes differ. The A10-5800K has 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die, while the Pentium G4520 has 1,400 million transistors on a 150 mm² die. The Pentium packs more transistors into a smaller area, reflecting the denser 14 nm process.

The sockets are incompatible. The A10-5800K uses AMD Socket FM2, while the Pentium G4520 uses Intel Socket 1151. The release dates differ by nearly three years, with the A10 released in October 2012 and the Pentium released in August 2015. The A10 is marked as end-of-life, while the Pentium remains active. The A10’s part number is AD580KWOA44HJAD580KWOHJBOX, and the Pentium’s is SR2HM. The A10’s production status and older socket limit its upgrade path, while the Pentium’s active status and modern socket provide more current platform options. The architectural differences explain the equal average scores: the A10 compensates for its older process and lack of L3 cache with more cores and a higher boost clock, while the Pentium relies on per-core efficiency, a smaller process, and a shared L3 cache to match it.