AMD A10-7860K vs Intel Core i5-4258U Comparison

The AMD A10-7860K and Intel Core i5-4258U are two processors that, on aggregate, land within 0.2% of each other in average benchmark score, yet they achieve parity through radically different performance profiles. The data shows a head-to-head contest where the AMD part dominates in Cinebench workloads while the Intel part counters decisively in Geekbench tests, making the choice between them entirely dependent on the specific application.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a stark split across the seven head-to-head tests. The AMD A10-7860K wins five of the seven comparisons, and it does so with remarkable consistency in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 279 against Intel’s 222, a 25.7% advantage. That margin is nearly identical across all Cinebench iterations: 25.5% in R20 multicore (1166 vs 929), 25.2% in R20 singlecore (164 vs 131), 25.5% in R23 multicore (2778 vs 2213), and 25.6% in R23 singlecore (392 vs 312). The uniformity of this ~25% gap across different Cinebench versions and both multi- and single-threaded tests suggests a fundamental architectural advantage for AMD in this specific rendering workload, not merely a core-count effect.

The Intel Core i5-4258U strikes back decisively in Geekbench, where the results invert dramatically. In Geekbench multicore, Intel scores 1664 versus AMD’s 1103, a 33.7% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: Intel’s 844 crushes AMD’s 447, a 47% deficit for the A10-7860K. These are not marginal victories; they represent a complete reversal of the Cinebench outcome. The delta between the two suites is striking — AMD’s Cinebench wins hover around 25% while Intel’s Geekbench wins range from 33.7% to 47%. This indicates that the two processors have fundamentally different optimization targets, with AMD favoring the rendering pipeline and Intel excelling at the broader range of tasks Geekbench measures.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split: AMD’s average is 904, Intel’s is 902, placing them essentially at parity with the Intel Core i5-5350U (903) and Intel Core i7-940 (903). Both processors sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs, meaning either choice places a system in the lower quarter of overall performance. The nearest rival data shows the i3-4330T slightly ahead at 908, with a -0.4% delta for AMD and -0.7% for Intel.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but conditional recommendation. For workloads that resemble Cinebench — particularly rendering, 3D modeling, and content creation that leverages the Cinebench engine — the AMD A10-7860K is the superior choice. Its consistent 25%+ lead across every Cinebench variant, including single-core tests, demonstrates that it outperforms the Intel part even in scenarios where the Intel’s higher per-core Geekbench score might suggest an advantage.

Conversely, for general-purpose computing, productivity suites, and tasks that align with Geekbench’s workload mix, the Intel Core i5-4258U is the better pick. Its 47% single-core Geekbench lead is enormous, and the 33.7% multicore advantage shows it can leverage its architecture effectively even with fewer physical cores. The Intel part’s 2 cores and 4 threads versus AMD’s 4 cores and 4 threads is not a disadvantage in this benchmark, suggesting superior instruction-level efficiency.

The architecture difference is stark: AMD uses a 28nm Steamroller design from GlobalFoundries with a die size of 245 mm² and 2,411 million transistors, while Intel uses a 22nm Haswell design from its own fabs with a 118 mm² die and 1,400 million transistors. The Intel part is both smaller and more efficient in the tasks it wins. However, the AMD part wins the majority of head-to-head tests, so for users whose software library leans toward Cinebench-type workloads, the A10-7860K is the data-supported choice. For everything else, the i5-4258U’s Geekbench dominance is the stronger signal.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD A10-7860K is built on the Steamroller architecture (codename Godaveri) using a 28nm process from GlobalFoundries. It integrates 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, reflecting a design that prioritizes raw throughput. The Intel Core i5-4258U uses the Haswell architecture on Intel’s own 22nm process, packing 1,400 million transistors into a 118 mm² die. The Intel die is less than half the size of AMD’s while achieving comparable average benchmark scores.

Core and thread configurations differ meaningfully. The AMD part offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel part offers 2 cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. Despite having half the physical cores, Intel’s part comes within 0.2% of AMD’s average score, indicating that its two cores are substantially more efficient per-core. The cache hierarchy reflects this: AMD provides 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, while Intel provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel L3 cache is a notable advantage for shared data access.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The AMD A10-7860K runs at a 3.60 GHz base with 4.00 GHz boost, while the Intel i5-4258U runs at a 2.40 GHz base with 2.90 GHz boost. AMD’s clocks are substantially higher, yet Intel compensates with better IPC in Geekbench workloads. Power consumption is another major differentiator: AMD’s TDP is 65W compared to Intel’s 28W, meaning the Intel part delivers comparable average performance at less than half the power envelope. This aligns with their market segments: AMD is a desktop part on Socket FM2+, while Intel is a mobile part on BGA 1168.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon R7 iGPU, while Intel uses HD 5100 graphics. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but AMD specifies dual-channel with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth while Intel does not list memory bus or bandwidth data. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only); Intel’s multiplier is locked and no PCIe data is provided. Release dates are separated by roughly two and a half years: AMD launched in February 2016, Intel in June 2013.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10-7860K has an average benchmark score of 904, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has 902. The difference is 0.2%, with the AMD part holding a marginal lead.

Q: How large is the AMD’s lead in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD A10-7860K scores 2778 in Cinebench R23 multicore versus the Intel Core i5-4258U’s 2213, giving AMD a 25.5% advantage.

Q: What is the single-core Geekbench margin for Intel?

A: The Intel Core i5-4258U scores 844 in Geekbench single-core compared to the AMD A10-7860K’s 447, giving Intel a 47% lead.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD A10-7860K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Intel achieves near-parity in average score with half the physical cores.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD A10-7860K has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has a TDP of 28W. Intel delivers comparable average performance at less than half the power.

Q: Which processor has a higher clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-7860K has a 3.60 GHz base clock and 4.00 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core i5-4258U has a 2.40 GHz base clock and 2.90 GHz boost clock. AMD runs at significantly higher frequencies.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7860K is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads. Across all five Cinebench tests — R15 multicore, R20 multicore and singlecore, and R23 multicore and singlecore — AMD leads by a consistent 25.2% to 25.7% margin. This makes it the appropriate choice for users running rendering tasks, 3D animation software, or any application that uses the Cinebench engine for its core processing. The AMD part’s 4 physical cores and higher clock speeds (3.60 GHz base, 4.00 GHz boost) drive this advantage. Additionally, the AMD part offers an unlocked multiplier, which enables overclocking potential that the Intel part cannot match. Its 65W TDP and desktop Socket FM2+ form factor also make it suitable for desktop builds where power efficiency is less critical than raw rendering throughput.

The Intel Core i5-4258U is the decisive winner in Geekbench workloads. Its 47% lead in single-core Geekbench and 33.7% lead in multicore Geekbench indicate superior performance in general-purpose computing tasks, including office productivity, web browsing, and software development. The Intel part’s 3 MB of shared L3 cache and 22nm Haswell architecture contribute to this efficiency. The 28W TDP makes it the better choice for power-constrained environments — particularly mobile or compact systems — where the BGA 1168 socket and mobile market segment are appropriate. The Intel part’s 4 threads on 2 cores also demonstrate that it can handle multithreaded workloads effectively without requiring additional physical cores. For users whose benchmark priorities align with Geekbench-style tests, the i5-4258U is the data-supported pick despite its lower average score.