AMD A10-7850K vs Intel Core i7-870S Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads available for demanding workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-870S supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the AMD A10-7850K has 4 threads. This gives the Intel part a structural advantage in multi-threaded scenarios.

Q: How do their benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-870S has an average benchmark score of 809, while the AMD A10-7850K averages 796. The Intel part sits at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, and the AMD part at the 21st percentile.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-7850K has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i7-870S has a base clock of 2.67 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: Do these processors include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD A10-7850K includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-870S has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Are the processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD A10-7850K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i7-870S does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: Both processors support DDR3 memory. The Intel Core i7-870S uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the AMD A10-7850K has no memory bus configuration listed in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-870S is built on the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, while the AMD A10-7850K uses the Steamroller architecture with the Kaveri codename. This represents a fundamental design divergence: Intel uses a 45 nm process node fabricated by Intel, whereas AMD uses a 28 nm process node fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The transistor counts reflect this difference, with the Intel part containing 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die, and the AMD part packing 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die.

The core configurations differ in threading capability. The Intel Core i7-870S has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The AMD A10-7850K also has 4 cores but only 4 threads, lacking an equivalent threading technology. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the Intel processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache listed.

Platform support differs as well. The Intel Core i7-870S uses Intel Socket 1156, while the AMD A10-7850K uses AMD Socket FM2+. PCIe capabilities also differ: the Intel part supports Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the AMD part supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD A10-7850K integrates Radeon R7 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Intel Core i7-870S. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. Both processors are end-of-life desktop parts, with the Intel release date in 2010 and the AMD release date in 2014.

The Verdict

The data paints a nuanced picture for these two end-of-life desktop processors. The Intel Core i7-870S edges out the AMD A10-7850K in average benchmark score, 809 to 796, a gap of roughly 1.6%. The Intel part also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking at 22 compared to AMD's 21.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded workloads, the Intel Core i7-870S is the stronger choice on paper. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads gives it a structural advantage, and its Cinebench results confirm this: it scores 236 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 987 in R20 multicore, and 2350 in R23 multicore. The AMD A10-7850K has no matching Cinebench results in the database, so direct comparison in this workload category is limited. However, the Intel part's thread count and consistent multi-core scores suggest it handles parallel tasks more effectively.

For users who need integrated graphics, the AMD A10-7850K is the only option between the two. Its Radeon R7 integrated graphics provide a display output capability that the Intel Core i7-870S completely lacks. The AMD part also offers higher clock speeds, with a 3.70 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost compared to Intel's 2.67 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The unlocked multiplier on the AMD part adds flexibility for enthusiasts, though the database does not include overclocking results.

The AMD A10-7850K also arrives with a more modern platform foundation, including a 28 nm process node and PCIe Gen 3 support. The Intel Core i7-870S, by contrast, uses a 45 nm node and PCIe Gen 2. For users building a system with a modern GPU, the AMD part's PCIe Gen 3 support is a relevant advantage. Ultimately, the Intel part wins on raw CPU benchmark scores and thread count, while the AMD part wins on integrated graphics, clock speeds, and platform modernity.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-870S | AMD A10-7850K |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.67 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 82 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | AMD Socket FM2+ |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Steamroller |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Kaveri |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 774 million | 2,411 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 245 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon R7 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2010-07-18 | 2014-01-13 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records no direct head-to-head benchmark results between the Intel Core i7-870S and the AMD A10-7850K. Instead, each processor has its own benchmark suite, and the comparison must be drawn from their respective scores and nearest rivals.

The Intel Core i7-870S delivers its strongest results in Cinebench tests. It scores 236 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 987 in Cinebench R20 multicore, and 2350 in Cinebench R23 multicore. Single-core results are 139 in Cinebench R20 and 331 in Cinebench R23. The AMD A10-7850K has no Cinebench results in the database, so its performance in this benchmark family cannot be directly compared. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 809 places it exactly level with the AMD A10-6800K, which also scores 809. It is 0.4% ahead of the AMD Athlon X4 850 and the Intel Xeon X5482, both at 806 and 805 respectively, and 0.5% behind the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 at 813.

The AMD A10-7850K has its own distinct benchmark footprint. It scores 1139 in Geekbench multicore and 453 in Geekbench singlecore. The Intel Core i7-870S has no Geekbench results in the database, so no direct comparison is possible in that test. The AMD part's average benchmark score of 796 places it 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G, which scores 797, and 0.2% ahead of the AMD A6-9400 at 794. It is 0.3% ahead of the AMD A10-5800B at 794, and 0.6% behind the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 at 801.

The nearest rival data for each processor reveals how close these two parts are in the broader competitive landscape. The Intel Core i7-870S sits in a cluster of comparable processors spanning a narrow range from 805 to 813. The AMD A10-7850K sits in a similar cluster ranging from 794 to 801. The Intel part's average score of 809 exceeds the AMD part's 796 by 13 points, a modest but consistent margin. The record shows that the Intel Core i7-870S holds a slight overall performance edge, while the AMD A10-7850K counters with integrated graphics, higher clocks, and a newer platform generation.