AMD A10-7850K vs Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows two very different generations of desktop silicon, and the benchmark results reflect that divide clearly. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775, a 2008-era quad-core flagship, and the AMD A10-7850K, a 2014-era quad-core APU, do not share a single overlapping benchmark test in the database. The Intel part has scores for Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, while the AMD part only has Geekbench results. This makes a direct numerical comparison impossible, but the available data still reveals a distinct performance profile for each.

Starting with the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775, its Cinebench scores show a processor that scales reasonably well with thread count. In Cinebench R23, it scores 333 points in single-core and 2363 points in multi-core, which represents a 7.1x scaling factor from one core to four cores. That is a strong multi-threaded efficiency for a chip with only four threads. In Cinebench R20, the same pattern appears: 139 single-core and 992 multi-core, again a roughly 7.1x scaling. Cinebench R15 multicore comes in at 238, which is consistent with the newer tests. These numbers place the QX9775 at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 813.

The AMD A10-7850K, meanwhile, only has Geekbench data. It scores 453 in single-core and 1139 in multi-core, which is a 2.5x scaling factor. That is notably lower scaling than the Intel chip, and it reflects a less efficient multi-core implementation. The A10-7850K sits at the 21st percentile, with an average score of 796. That is just 17 points below the Intel part, a 2.1% deficit in average benchmark score. In terms of raw aggregate performance, the two are nearly tied, but the distribution of that performance is very different.

The nearest rivals in the database further contextualize these scores. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 is bracketed by the Intel Core i7-5550U at exactly 813 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon X3440 at 815 (-0.2% delta), the Intel Core i5-L16G7 at 816 (-0.4% delta), and the AMD A10-6800K at 809 (0.5% delta). This tells us the QX9775 is essentially at parity with a low-power mobile i7 and a Xeon from the same era. The AMD A10-7850K is similarly bracketed by the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G at 797 (-0.1% delta), the AMD A6-9400 at 794 (0.2% delta), the AMD A10-5800B at 794 (0.3% delta), and the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 at 801 (-0.6% delta). The A10-7850K is thus in the same performance class as embedded Ryzen parts and lower-end desktop APUs.

The biggest win for the Intel chip is its multi-core scaling efficiency. The 7.1x scaling in Cinebench R23 and R20 shows that the four cores are being utilized with minimal overhead. The biggest win for the AMD chip is its single-core clock advantage. The A10-7850K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the QX9775's fixed 3.20 GHz. That 0.50 GHz to 0.80 GHz clock advantage explains why the AMD part can post a Geekbench single-core score of 453, which is competitive with much newer silicon.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 wins in compute-heavy, multi-threaded workloads where core scaling matters most. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2363, achieved with a 3.20 GHz clock and four threads, demonstrates that the old Yorkfield architecture can still deliver respectable throughput in modern rendering tasks. The 992 points in Cinebench R20 multicore and 238 in R15 multicore reinforce this. For users running legacy applications that are optimized for four threads and do not require new instruction sets, the QX9775 remains a viable option.

The AMD A10-7850K wins in scenarios that favor higher clock speeds and integrated graphics. The 4.00 GHz boost clock is a significant advantage over the Intel part's 3.20 GHz, which gives the AMD chip a 25% peak clock advantage. This shows up in the Geekbench single-core score of 453, which is achieved at a much higher frequency. The A10-7850K also includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics, which the QX9775 lacks entirely. For a system that needs a display output without a discrete GPU, the AMD part is the only choice.

The average benchmark score tells a story of near parity: 813 for the Intel, 796 for the AMD. The Intel part edges ahead by 2.1%, which is within the margin of error for most benchmark suites. However, the two chips are at different points in their lifecycles. The QX9775 has a production status of end-of-life and a release date of March 2008, while the A10-7850K was released in January 2014 and is also end-of-life. Neither is a current product, but the AMD part is six years newer and benefits from a 28 nm process node versus the Intel's 45 nm node.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is generational. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 uses the Core 2 architecture, codenamed Yorkfield, built on a 45 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 820 million transistors across a die size of 2x 107 mm². The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core and 6 MB of L2 per die, with no L3 cache. Memory support is DDR2, with capacity depending on the motherboard, and ECC memory is supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 1. The chip uses Intel Socket 771, has a TDP of 150 watts, and features an unlocked multiplier.

The AMD A10-7850K uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a single 245 mm² die. The cache includes 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, again with no L3. Memory support is DDR3, but ECC is not supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The chip uses AMD Socket FM2+ and has a TDP of 95 watts. It also includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, which the Intel part does not have. The multiplier is unlocked on both chips.

The transistor count difference is stark: 2,411 million versus 820 million, a 194% increase for the AMD chip. This is partly due to the integrated GPU, which requires significant die area. The process node difference, 28 nm versus 45 nm, explains why the AMD chip can fit more transistors while consuming less power (95 W TDP versus 150 W). The memory support difference, DDR3 versus DDR2, is also notable. The A10-7850K supports PCIe Gen 3, whereas the QX9775 is stuck on Gen 1, which limits modern GPU connectivity.

The cache strategy differs as well. The Intel chip uses a per-die L2 design, with 6 MB per die across two dies, for a total of 12 MB. The AMD chip uses a unified 4 MB L2. The Intel chip also has per-core L1 of 64 KB, while the AMD chip has a combined 256 KB L1. Neither has L3 cache, so both rely on L2 to feed the cores. The lack of L3 is a shared weakness, but the Intel part compensates with a larger aggregate L2.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 has an average benchmark score of 813, while the AMD A10-7850K has an average score of 796. The Intel part leads by 17 points, or 2.1%.

Q: Does the AMD A10-7850K have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the A10-7850K includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 does not have any integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for display output.

Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 runs at a fixed 3.20 GHz base clock with no boost. The AMD A10-7850K has a 3.70 GHz base clock and a 4.00 GHz boost clock, giving it a 0.50 GHz to 0.80 GHz advantage depending on workload.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 supports ECC memory. The AMD A10-7850K does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23?

A: Only the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 has Cinebench R23 scores in the database. It scores 333 in single-core and 2363 in multi-core. The AMD A10-7850K has no Cinebench R23 results recorded.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 uses Intel Socket 771. The AMD A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+. These sockets are not interchangeable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 | AMD A10-7850K |

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

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 150 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 771 | AMD Socket FM2+ |

| Architecture | Core 2 | Steamroller |

| Codename | Yorkfield | Kaveri |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 820 million | 2,411 million |

| Die Size | 2x 107 mm² | 245 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 256 KB |

| L2 Cache | 6 MB (per die) | 4 MB |

| L3 Cache | None | None |

| Memory Support | DDR2 | DDR3 |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 1 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon R7 |

| Release Date | 2008-03-23 | 2014-01-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $1499 | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | Yes |

| Average Benchmark Score | 813 | 796 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 22 | 21 |

The data indicates that the AMD A10-7850K is the more modern and efficient chip, with a smaller process node, lower TDP, higher clocks, and integrated graphics. The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 retains advantages in ECC support and a larger aggregate L2 cache, but its older memory and PCIe standards limit its relevance in modern systems. The average benchmark scores are close, but the use cases diverge sharply: the Intel part is a legacy compute workhorse, while the AMD part is a compact APU with a broader feature set.