AMD A10-6800K vs Intel Core i5-3320M Comparison

The AMD A10-6800K and Intel Core i5-3320M represent two fundamentally different philosophies in CPU design, even though their average benchmark scores land within a hair of each other. The AMD part is a desktop Piledriver chip with a 100W TDP, while the Intel is a 35W mobile Ivy Bridge processor. Despite their similar aggregate performance (809 vs 803), the data reveals a stark divergence in how they achieve that parity, with the Intel chip winning both head-to-head benchmarks decisively in single-threaded work.

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark performance?

A: The AMD A10-6800K has an average benchmark score of 809, while the Intel Core i5-3320M scores 803. This places both processors at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, making them statistically equivalent in overall performance, with the AMD chip holding a negligible 0.75% edge in aggregate.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3320M delivers a decisive victory in Geekbench single-core testing, scoring 589 against the AMD's 478. This represents an 18.8% advantage for the Intel chip, a significant gap that highlights its architectural superiority in lightly-threaded tasks.

Q: Is there a meaningful difference in multi-core performance?

A: No, the multi-core results are essentially a tie. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel scores 1146 while the AMD scores 1140, a margin of just 0.5% in favor of Intel. This near-parity is notable because the AMD chip has four physical cores while the Intel has two cores with four threads.

Q: What are the architectural differences between the two chips?

A: The AMD uses a Piledriver architecture on a 32nm process from GlobalFoundries, featuring 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel uses Ivy Bridge on Intel's 22nm process, with 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD has a larger die size (246 mm² vs 118 mm²) and a 4MB L2 cache, while Intel uses a 3MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-6800K runs at a base clock of 4.10 GHz and boosts to 4.40 GHz, dramatically higher than the Intel's 2.60 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. This clock advantage helps the AMD compensate for its older architecture but does not translate into a win in the single-core benchmark.

Q: What is the intended use case for each processor based on the data?

A: The AMD is a desktop part with a 100W TDP, while the Intel is a mobile chip rated at 35W. The data suggests the AMD is designed for budget desktop builds where power consumption is less critical, while the Intel is for laptops where efficiency is paramount.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from entirely different design schools. The AMD A10-6800K is built on Piledriver, a module-based architecture from the Richland generation, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 32nm process. It integrates 1,303 million transistors across a 246 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-3320M, by contrast, uses the Ivy Bridge architecture from Intel's own 22nm process, with a much smaller 118 mm² die. Intel does not disclose a transistor count for the i5-3320M in the data.

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD offers four physical cores with four threads, while Intel provides two physical cores but uses Hyper-Threading to reach four threads. This explains the near-identical multi-core benchmark results—each chip can process four threads simultaneously, though the AMD does so natively. The cache hierarchy reflects these design choices: AMD provides 192KB of L1 and 4MB of L2, with no L3 cache, while Intel uses 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, and a shared 3MB L3 cache.

The integrated graphics also differ. AMD pairs the A10-6800K with a Radeon HD 8670D, while Intel uses HD 4000 graphics. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory, though AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s while Intel does not specify a figure. The AMD supports PCIe Gen 2, and the data does not list a PCIe version for Intel. Perhaps most telling is the multiplier: the AMD is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel is locked.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different buyers. The Intel Core i5-3320M is the superior choice for anyone prioritizing single-threaded performance and power efficiency. Its 18.8% lead in Geekbench single-core is substantial, and its 35W TDP makes it suitable for mobile systems. The AMD A10-6800K offers identical multi-core performance, matching the Intel's 1140 vs 1146 score, but at a 100W TDP and with a desktop socket. The AMD's unlocked multiplier is a distinct advantage for enthusiasts willing to push clocks beyond the already-high 4.40 GHz boost. However, the Intel's superior single-core score suggests better responsiveness in everyday tasks like web browsing and office applications. For users who need, the data indicates the Intel is the more balanced performer, while the AMD makes sense for those who value the integrated Radeon graphics and overclocking capability.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge across nearly every specification except for thread count and memory bus width. The AMD A10-6800K has four cores, while the Intel i5-3320M has two, yet both offer four threads. The AMD's base clock is 4.10 GHz versus Intel's 2.60 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. The TDP difference is massive: 100W for AMD versus 35W for Intel.

The socket and market segment tell the story of their intended platforms. AMD uses Socket FM2 and is a desktop part, while Intel uses BGA 1023 and is a mobile chip. The AMD is built on a 32nm process with a 246 mm² die and 1,303 million transistors, while the Intel uses 22nm with a 118 mm² die and no listed transistor count. The cache structures are entirely different, as are the integrated graphics solutions. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel is locked. The AMD launched at $142 MSRP, while no launch MSRP is listed for the Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data includes only two benchmark entries, both from Geekbench, and the Intel Core i5-3320M wins both. The multi-core test is exceptionally close: Intel scores 1146 against AMD's 1140, a difference of just 0.5%. This result defies the expectation that a true quad-core would beat a dual-core with Hyper-Threading, but the numbers are what they are.

The single-core test is where the Intel pulls away. Its score of 589 dwarfs the AMD's 478, giving Intel an 18.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in the head-to-head comparison and underscores the efficiency of Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture at lower clock speeds. The AMD's 4.10 GHz base clock cannot overcome the architectural deficit in single-threaded execution.

It is worth remembering the AMD has no benchmark wins in this head-to-head set, while Intel claims both. The aggregate average scores, however, tell a slightly different story: the AMD's 809 average is 0.75% higher than Intel's 803, driven by other benchmark results not shown in the head-to-head section. This suggests that the AMD may perform better in workloads not captured by these two Geekbench tests.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-3320M: The Intel chip wins decisively in single-threaded performance, with an 18.8% lead in Geekbench single-core. This translates to faster response in applications that rely on one primary thread, such as many legacy games and certain productivity tools. The Intel also edges out the AMD in multi-core performance, albeit by a razor-thin 0.5% margin. Its 35W TDP makes it the obvious choice for battery-powered devices, where the AMD's 100W TDP would be impractical. The data indicates the Intel is the better all-around performer for general computing tasks.

AMD A10-6800K: The AMD's wins are more subtle and derived from its specifications rather than benchmark victories. It matches the Intel in multi-core performance despite having a lower average benchmark score, and it does so with a 100W TDP, suggesting it is not held back by power constraints. The unlocked multiplier is a clear advantage for overclocking, allowing users to push the 4.40 GHz boost clock even higher. Its Radeon HD 8670D integrated graphics may offer better iGPU performance than Intel's HD 4000, though no direct benchmark data is provided. The AMD is the choice for desktop users who prioritize overclocking headroom and a larger die with more transistors.