AMD A10-6800K vs Intel Core i7-870S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD A10-6800K and Intel Core i7-870S land at the exact same average benchmark score of 809, with a deltaPct of 0 between them. That statistical tie places both processors at the 22nd percentile among all CPUs, meaning roughly three-quarters of the market outperforms them. Yet the data reveals two very different performance profiles beneath that identical average.

The A10-6800K flexes its strength in Geekbench tests. It scores 1,140 in Geekbench multi-core and 478 in Geekbench single-core. The i7-870S has no directly comparable Geekbench results in the FACT PACK, so the head-to-head comparison must rely on the aggregate scores and the rival deltas. The A10’s multi-core Geekbench number is nearly 2.4 times its single-core result, showing strong scaling across its four physical cores.

The i7-870S counters with a full suite of Cinebench results. It posts 236 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 987 in R20 multi-core, 139 in R20 single-core, 2,350 in R23 multi-core, and 331 in R23 single-core. These numbers reveal a consistent pattern: the i7’s multi-core scores are roughly 7-8 times its single-core figures in the R20 and R23 tests. That ratio reflects the i7’s eight threads working together effectively, even at a relatively modest 2.67 GHz base clock.

The nearest rival data puts both chips in a tight cluster. The AMD Athlon X4 850 scores 806 (0.4% behind), and the Intel Xeon X5482 also scores 805 (0.4% behind). The Intel Core i7-5550U and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 each score 813 (0.5% ahead). This grouping shows the A10-6800K and i7-870S are not outliers; they sit squarely in a crowded mid-pack of similarly performing CPUs.

The biggest win for the A10-6800K is its clock speed advantage. With a base clock of 4.10 GHz and boost up to 4.40 GHz, it runs significantly faster than the i7-870S’s 2.67 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. In single-threaded workloads where clock speed dominates, the A10 should hold a clear edge. The biggest win for the i7-870S is its thread count: eight threads versus four, which explains its strong Cinebench multi-core scaling. In heavily threaded workloads, the i7’s Hyper-Threading delivers more parallel work per cycle.

The benchmark data shows no decisive winner in raw aggregate performance — the 0% deltaPct confirms they are statistically identical. However, the performance character differs sharply: the A10 favors bursty, high-frequency single-thread tasks, while the i7 favors sustained multi-threaded throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Both are tied at exactly 809, with a 0% deltaPct between them. Neither holds an aggregate performance advantage.

Q: How does the AMD A10-6800K perform in Geekbench tests?

A: The A10-6800K scores 1,140 in Geekbench multi-core and 478 in Geekbench single-core. The multi-core result is roughly 2.4 times the single-core score, indicating strong scaling across its four cores.

Q: What are the Intel Core i7-870S’s Cinebench results?

A: The i7-870S scores 236 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 987 in R20 multi-core, 139 in R20 single-core, 2,350 in R23 multi-core, and 331 in R23 single-core. Its multi-core scores are 7-8 times its single-core results across R20 and R23.

Q: Which CPUs are closest in performance to these two?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 850 (score 806, 0.4% behind) and Intel Xeon X5482 (score 805, 0.4% behind) are the nearest lower-scoring rivals. The Intel Core i7-5550U and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 both score 813, sitting 0.5% ahead.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory with a dual-channel memory bus. The A10-6800K has a specified memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i7-870S does not list a memory bandwidth figure in the data.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are marked as end-of-life production status. The A10-6800K was released on 2013-05-31, while the i7-870S was released earlier on 2010-07-18.

Architecture Differences

The AMD A10-6800K uses the Piledriver architecture under the Richland codename, built on a 32 nm process node by GlobalFoundries. It packs 1,303 million transistors into a 246 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-870S uses the older Nehalem architecture under the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process node by Intel. It contains 774 million transistors on a larger 296 mm² die. The A10 achieves higher transistor density — roughly 5.3 million transistors per square millimeter versus 2.6 million for the i7 — thanks to its smaller process node.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The A10-6800K has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The i7-870S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The i7’s L3 cache is a significant architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from shared, low-latency data access across cores.

The integrated graphics situation is one-sided. The A10-6800K includes a Radeon HD 8670D iGPU, while the i7-870S has no integrated graphics listed. This makes the A10 a more complete single-chip solution for basic display output without a discrete GPU.

Both processors support dual-channel DDR3 memory, but only the A10 lists a memory bandwidth figure of 34.1 GB/s. Both lack ECC memory support. Both use PCIe Gen 2, though the i7-870S specifies 16 lanes CPU-only, while the A10 does not detail lane counts.

Clock speeds differ dramatically. The A10-6800K runs at 4.10 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost, while the i7-870S runs at 2.67 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The A10 also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i7’s multiplier is locked. The A10 carries a 100 W TDP, higher than the i7’s 82 W TDP.

The A10 uses AMD Socket FM2, while the i7 uses Intel Socket 1156. The A10’s part number is AD680KWOHLBOXAD680KWOA44HL, and the i7’s is SLBQ7. The A10 was released about three years later, in 2013 versus 2010.

The Verdict

The data points to a split decision based on workload type. For users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness and high clock speeds, the AMD A10-6800K is the pick. Its 4.10 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost clocks are substantially higher than the i7-870S’s 2.67 GHz and 3.60 GHz, and its unlocked multiplier allows further tuning. The A10 also bundles a Radeon HD 8670D iGPU, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card in basic systems.

For users running heavily threaded applications, the Intel Core i7-870S is the better choice. Its eight threads — double the A10’s four — produce strong Cinebench multi-core scores (2,350 in R23 multi-core) that demonstrate effective parallel scaling. The i7 also includes a shared 8 MB L3 cache, which the A10 lacks entirely, potentially improving performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Both processors are end-of-life products with identical aggregate scores (809) and identical percentile rankings (22nd). Neither offers a meaningful performance advantage in average benchmarks. The A10-6800K’s launch MSRP was $142, though it is no longer in production.

The A10-6800K suits builders who want a high-frequency quad-core with integrated graphics and overclocking headroom on the FM2 platform. The i7-870S suits users who already own an LGA 1156 motherboard and need eight threads for multi-threaded workloads, accepting its lower clocks and lack of integrated graphics. Given the 0% deltaPct, neither chip dominates the other; the choice hinges entirely on platform compatibility and workload shape.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD A10-6800K | Intel Core i7-870S |

|-------|---------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 4.10 GHz | 2.67 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 100 W | 82 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2 | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Architecture | Piledriver | Nehalem |

| Codename | Richland | Lynnfield |

| Process node | 32 nm | 45 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 1,303 million | 774 million |

| Die size | 246 mm² | 296 mm² |

| L1 cache | 192 KB | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 4 MB | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | None | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon HD 8670D | None |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2013-05-31 | 2010-07-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $142 | Not listed |