AMD A10-6800K vs AMD A10-7850K Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits cleanly between these two AMD desktop processors. The AMD A10-6800K wins both recorded head-to-head comparisons, but the margins tell different stories depending on the workload type.

In the Geekbench multi-core test, the A10-6800K scores 1140 against the A10-7850K's 1139. That is a 0.1% difference, a statistical tie in practical terms. The two chips are effectively interchangeable when all four cores are engaged. This makes sense given both parts have four cores and four threads, and both carry 4 MB of L2 cache. The multi-core result suggests that sustained all-core workloads will not reveal a meaningful winner between these two.

The single-core test is where the separation appears. The A10-6800K posts 478, while the A10-7850K manages 453. That is a 5.5% advantage for the older Richland part. Single-core performance matters for lightly threaded applications, older games, and many everyday desktop tasks. Here the A10-6800K holds a clear, measurable edge.

Looking at the broader database position, the A10-6800K sits at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, while the A10-7850K sits at the 21st. The average benchmark score for the A10-6800K is 809, compared to 796 for the A10-7850K. That 13-point gap in average score is roughly 1.6%, which aligns with the single-core advantage being the primary driver of the overall difference.

The nearest rival data reinforces this picture. The A10-6800K's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-870S at an identical 809 average score, with the AMD Athlon X4 850 and Intel Xeon X5482 both trailing by 0.4%. The A10-7850K's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G at 797, just 0.1% ahead of the Kaveri part. The A6-9400 and A10-5800B each trail by 0.2% and 0.3% respectively.

For use-case planning, the data indicates the A10-6800K is the better choice for single-threaded responsiveness, while either processor will deliver essentially identical multi-threaded throughput. The A10-7850K does not win any recorded category, but its multi-core score is close enough that users upgrading from the A10-6800K would see no multi-threaded improvement and a slight regression in single-threaded tasks.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the AMD A10-6800K is the superior processor. It wins both head-to-head tests, holds a higher percentile ranking, and carries a higher average benchmark score. The single-core margin of 5.5% is the deciding factor; the multi-core margin of 0.1% is negligible.

Users who prioritize single-threaded performance should select the A10-6800K without hesitation. The 478 single-core score versus 453 represents a real, perceptible difference in everyday responsiveness, legacy application compatibility, and any workload that does not scale across cores.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput will find no meaningful benefit in either part. The 1140 versus 1139 multi-core result is within measurement noise. Choosing between them on that basis alone is effectively a coin flip, but the A10-6800K still edges ahead.

The A10-7850K does have one data point in its favor outside raw CPU benchmarks: it consumes 95 W TDP versus 100 W for the A10-6800K. That 5 W reduction is minor but not zero. For systems where thermal envelope matters, the Kaveri part runs slightly cooler by specification.

Neither processor is current production; both are marked end-of-life. For a new build, the database shows other options nearby. The A10-6800K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-870S at identical average score and the Intel Core i7-5550U at 0.5% higher. The A10-7850K's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G at 0.1% higher and the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 at 0.6% higher.

The verdict is straightforward: the A10-6800K wins on recorded performance. The A10-7850K offers a lower TDP and a more modern architecture, but the benchmark numbers do not translate that into any performance victory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head table in the database contains exactly two entries, both Geekbench tests. The A10-6800K wins both, but the magnitude differs sharply.

The Geekbench multi-core test shows 1140 for the A10-6800K and 1139 for the A10-7850K. The delta is 0.1%. This is the closest possible margin in the recorded data. For any real-world multi-threaded workload, the two processors will produce indistinguishable results. The A10-6800K wins the category, but the victory is purely nominal.

The Geekbench single-core test shows 478 for the A10-6800K and 453 for the A10-7850K. The delta is 5.5%. This is the decisive benchmark of the comparison. A 25-point gap at this performance level is significant; it places the A10-6800K clearly ahead in any single-threaded context. The A10-6800K's 4.10 GHz base clock and 4.40 GHz boost clock, compared to the A10-7850K's 3.70 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, explain this gap. Higher clock speeds directly translate to faster single-thread execution when the architecture is held roughly constant in efficiency.

The average benchmark score, which combines both tests, is 809 for the A10-6800K and 796 for the A10-7850K. That 13-point difference is 1.6%, consistent with the single-core test being weighted more heavily or the multi-core test being nearly equal.

The percentile rankings corroborate: 22nd percentile for the A10-6800K, 21st for the A10-7850K. The A10-6800K also has a more favorable rival set, with its closest rival matching exactly at 809, while the A10-7850K's closest rival sits 0.1% above it.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score?

A: The AMD A10-6800K scores 478 in Geekbench single-core, compared to 453 for the AMD A10-7850K. The A10-6800K leads by 5.5%.

Q: How close is the multi-core performance?

A: The A10-6800K scores 1140 and the A10-7850K scores 1139 in Geekbench multi-core. The difference is 0.1%, effectively a tie.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The A10-6800K has an average benchmark score of 809, while the A10-7850K has 796. The A10-6800K is ahead by 13 points.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The A10-6800K has a TDP of 100 W, while the A10-7850K has a TDP of 95 W. The A10-7850K consumes 5 W less.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the A10-6800K and the A10-7850K have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The A10-6800K has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the A10-7850K has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different AMD architecture families. The A10-6800K uses the Piledriver architecture under the Richland codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The A10-7850K uses the Steamroller architecture under the Kaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process, also at GlobalFoundries.

The transistor counts differ substantially. The A10-6800K contains 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The A10-7850K contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. That is 1,108 million more transistors on a nearly identical die area, enabled by the smaller 28 nm node. Despite the higher transistor count, the A10-7850K has a lower TDP of 95 W versus 100 W.

Cache configurations differ in the L1 but match in L2. The A10-6800K has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache. The A10-7850K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache. Neither processor has L3 cache.

The integrated graphics differ. The A10-6800K carries the Radeon HD 8670D, while the A10-7850K carries the Radeon R7. The database records no graphics benchmarks, so performance comparisons cannot be made from the data.

PCI Express support differs. The A10-6800K uses PCIe Gen 2, while the A10-7850K uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. This is a notable platform difference for discrete GPU users.

The socket also differs. The A10-6800K uses AMD Socket FM2, while the A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+. These are not interchangeable, so motherboard compatibility is determined by the processor choice.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, with dual-channel support recorded for the A10-6800K. The A10-7850K's memory bus details are not recorded in the database, nor is its memory bandwidth. The A10-6800K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The A10-6800K has a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The A10-7850K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The A10-6800K is faster on both counts by 0.40 GHz.

TDP differs by 5 W: 100 W for the A10-6800K, 95 W for the A10-7850K.

Socket differs: FM2 for the A10-6800K, FM2+ for the A10-7850K.

Architecture and codename differ: Piledriver/Richland for the A10-6800K, Steamroller/Kaveri for the A10-7850K.

Process node differs: 32 nm for the A10-6800K, 28 nm for the A10-7850K.

Transistor count differs: 1,303 million for the A10-6800K, 2,411 million for the A10-7850K.

Die size is nearly identical: 246 mm² for the A10-6800K, 245 mm² for the A10-7850K.

L1 cache differs: 192 KB for the A10-6800K, 256 KB for the A10-7850K. L2 cache is the same at 4 MB.

PCIe support differs: Gen 2 for the A10-6800K, Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the A10-7850K.

Integrated graphics differ: Radeon HD 8670D for the A10-6800K, Radeon R7 for the A10-7850K.

The launch MSRP for the A10-6800K is $142. The A10-7850K has no recorded launch MSRP.

Both processors have 4 cores and 4 threads, both support DDR3 memory, both lack ECC support, both are unlocked, both are desktop parts, and both are end-of-life.

Release dates differ: the A10-6800K was released on 2013-05-31, while the A10-7850K was released on 2014-01-13. The A10-7850K is roughly seven and a half months newer.