AMD A10-7860K vs Intel Core i5-5300U Comparison

The AMD A10-7860K and Intel Core i5-5300U represent two very different approaches to the same performance tier. Both sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs in the database, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—904 for the AMD part versus 895 for the Intel. Yet the data reveals a stark split: the AMD A10-7860K dominates Cinebench workloads across every version tested, while the Intel Core i5-5300U wins decisively in both Geekbench tests. This is a classic case of benchmark-specific optimization, process technology differences, and architectural philosophy separating two chips that end up in the same performance bracket.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A10-7860K leads with an average benchmark score of 904, edging out the Intel Core i5-5300U's 895. The gap is minimal—roughly 1%—and both processors sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD A10-7860K scores 2778 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 21.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-5300U's 2287. This is the largest absolute score difference between the two in the Cinebench suite.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i5-5300U win by the largest margin?

A: The Intel chip wins Geekbench single-core by the widest margin, scoring 791 against the AMD part's 447—a 43.5% advantage. Its Geekbench multi-core lead is also substantial at 28.4%, with 1540 versus 1103.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD A10-7860K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5300U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel chip relies on Hyper-Threading to match the AMD part's thread count.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD A10-7860K boosts up to 4.00 GHz, whereas the Intel Core i5-5300U reaches 2.90 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz compared to the Intel's 2.30 GHz.

Q: How does the integrated graphics compare?

A: The AMD A10-7860K features Radeon R7 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-5300U is equipped with Intel HD 5500. The FACT PACK does not provide graphics benchmark scores, only the presence of these respective iGPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The AMD A10-7860K is built on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, using a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-5300U, by contrast, uses the Broadwell architecture from the Broadwell-U family, fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process with 1,300 million transistors on a much smaller 82 mm² die. The node advantage is clear: Intel's 14 nm process is significantly more advanced than AMD's 28 nm, allowing for higher transistor density and much lower power consumption.

The cache hierarchies tell a different story. The AMD A10-7860K has a 256 KB L1 cache and a 4 MB L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Intel Core i5-5300U allocates 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but adds a 3 MB shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has a more layered cache design, while the AMD part relies on a larger L2 pool. For memory, both support DDR3 with dual-channel buses, but the AMD A10-7860K offers higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus the Intel chip's 25.6 GB/s.

PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, whereas the Intel Core i5-5300U is locked. The Intel chip is soldered to a BGA 1168 socket, indicating its mobile design, while the AMD part uses the desktop-oriented AMD Socket FM2+. The Intel processor's launch MSRP was $315, though the AMD part's launch MSRP is not listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a lopsided affair in Cinebench, with the AMD A10-7860K winning all five tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 279 against Intel's 230, a 21.3% advantage. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1166 versus 960, a 21.5% margin. The single-core Cinebench R20 result is equally decisive, with the AMD at 164 and the Intel at 135—again a 21.5% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the AMD at 2778 versus 2287, maintaining the 21.5% lead, and Cinebench R23 single-core sees the AMD at 392 against 322, a 21.7% edge.

The story flips completely in Geekbench. The Intel Core i5-5300U wins Geekbench multi-core with 1540 against the AMD's 1103, a 28.4% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: Intel scores 791, AMD scores 447, giving Intel a 43.5% lead. This stark reversal suggests that the two benchmark suites stress different aspects of the processors. Cinebench appears to favor the AMD's higher clock speeds and four physical cores, while Geekbench rewards the Intel's architectural efficiency and per-core performance.

The wins tally reflects this split: the AMD A10-7860K takes 5 wins out of 7 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-5300U claims 2. However, the magnitude of Intel's Geekbench victories is larger in percentage terms than most of AMD's Cinebench wins. The AMD's largest margin is 21.7%, whereas Intel's is 43.5%. This means that in workloads resembling Geekbench, the Intel chip is vastly superior, while in Cinebench-like tasks, the AMD is consistently but less dramatically ahead.

Specification Differences

The core specifications diverge sharply between the two processors. The AMD A10-7860K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5300U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds favor the AMD part significantly: base clock is 3.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, and boost clock is 4.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz. Thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator—the AMD runs at 65 watts, while the Intel sips power at just 15 watts, reflecting its mobile target.

Socket compatibility is entirely different: the AMD uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the Intel is soldered to Intel BGA 1168. The process node and foundry also differ, with AMD on 28 nm at GlobalFoundries and Intel on 14 nm at its own fabs. Transistor count and die size are vastly different: 2,411 million transistors on 245 mm² for AMD, versus 1,300 million on 82 mm² for Intel. Cache configurations differ as detailed above, with the AMD offering 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2, and the Intel providing per-core L1 and L2 plus 3 MB shared L3.

Memory bandwidth is higher on the AMD at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s on the Intel. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for AMD, Gen 2 with 12 lanes for Intel. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel does not. The integrated graphics differ, with Radeon R7 on the AMD and Intel HD 5500 on the Intel. Market segment also separates them: desktop for AMD, mobile for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $315, while the AMD's is not listed. The release dates are close, with the Intel arriving on 2015-02-28 and the AMD on 2016-02-01.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7860K is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering tasks, as evidenced by its consistent 21%+ lead across all Cinebench versions. Its four physical cores and higher clock speeds provide a tangible advantage in workloads that scale with core count and raw frequency. The data shows Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2778, which is 491 points higher than the Intel's 2287. This makes the AMD part better suited for CPU-bound rendering, 3D modeling, or any application that behaves like Cinebench. Additionally, the AMD's unlocked multiplier gives overclocking headroom that the Intel chip completely lacks, which could extend its lead further in the hands of an enthusiast. Its higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s and PCIe Gen 3 support also suggest better data throughput for systems that leverage those capabilities.

The Intel Core i5-5300U wins decisively in Geekbench, which is often indicative of general-purpose computing, web browsing, and single-threaded productivity tasks. Its Geekbench single-core score of 791 is nearly double the AMD's 447, pointing to superior per-clock efficiency from the Broadwell architecture. The 28.4% multi-core Geekbench lead, despite having only two physical cores, shows that Intel's 14 nm process and Hyper-Threading deliver strong real-world performance in mixed workloads. The 15-watt TDP is a massive advantage for mobile devices, making the Intel chip far more suitable for laptops where battery life and cooling are critical. The 3 MB shared L3 cache and per-core cache design likely contribute to its responsiveness in bursty, single-threaded applications.

For a desktop user who prioritizes multi-threaded rendering and overclocking, the AMD A10-7860K is the better fit. For a mobile user who needs efficiency, strong single-core performance, and Geekbench-friendly responsiveness, the Intel Core i5-5300U is the clear winner. The benchmark data presents no ambiguity: these are two specialized tools, each dominating its own domain. The fact that both end up at the same 24th percentile and within 1% average benchmark score confirms how differently they achieve that standing.