AMD A10-7870K vs Intel Core i5-2405S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two desktop processors. The AMD A10-7870K wins five of the seven recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-2405S takes the remaining two. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In the Cinebench suite, the AMD part consistently leads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A10-7870K scores 299 against the i5-2405S's 291, a 2.7% advantage. That gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD chip posts 1249 versus 1213, a 3% edge. The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R20 single-core shows 176 for AMD versus 171 for Intel (2.9% ahead), and R23 single-core shows 420 versus 408, again a 2.9% lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test rounds out the AMD sweep at 2975 versus 2890, another 2.9% margin.

The Geekbench results flip the script decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i5-2405S scores 1425 against the A10-7870K's 1225, a 14% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test shows the Intel part at 541 versus 478, an 11.6% lead. These are substantial margins, far larger than any of the Cinebench deltas.

What the data suggests is that the AMD processor holds a consistent but narrow lead in Cinebench workloads, while the Intel chip delivers a much larger performance gap in Geekbench. The average benchmark score places the Intel part slightly higher overall: 991 for the i5-2405S versus 975 for the A10-7870K. The percentile ranking also favors Intel, with the i5-2405S sitting at the 27th percentile of all CPUs compared to the A10-7870K's 26th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and design philosophies. The AMD A10-7870K uses the Steamroller architecture on the Godaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-2405S uses Sandy Bridge, also its codename, on a 32 nm process at Intel's fabs. Both are end-of-life desktop parts, but their internal designs diverge sharply.

Transistor counts highlight the difference in complexity. The AMD chip packs 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. The Intel part contains 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. Despite having fewer transistors, the Intel chip achieves competitive or better performance in several tests, indicating higher architectural efficiency per transistor.

Cache layouts differ fundamentally. The A10-7870K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The i5-2405S uses a per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 256 KB, plus a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The presence of L3 cache on the Intel part likely contributes to its Geekbench advantage, particularly in memory-intensive workloads.

Clock speeds favor AMD substantially. The A10-7870K runs at a 3.90 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.10 GHz. The i5-2405S operates at a 2.50 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. Despite the 1.4 GHz base clock deficit, the Intel chip still wins in Geekbench, underscoring the architectural efficiency of Sandy Bridge.

Power and thermal characteristics also differ. The AMD part carries a 95 W TDP, while the Intel chip draws only 65 W. Both use DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, though the AMD part lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s while the Intel field is not recorded. The AMD A10-7870K features an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-2405S is locked. Integrated graphics differ as well: Radeon R7 for AMD versus Intel HD 3000 for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7870K establishes its territory in Cinebench workloads. All five Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23 in both multi-core and single-core variants, go to the AMD part. The margins are consistent, ranging from 2.7% to 3%, which suggests a stable advantage in rendering and 3D visualization tasks. Users running Cinebench-based benchmarks or similar CPU render workloads should expect the A10-7870K to be the faster option.

The Intel Core i5-2405S dominates in Geekbench, both multi-core and single-core. The 14% multi-core advantage and 11.6% single-core edge are significant. Geekbench exercises a broader mix of integer, floating-point, and memory tasks, and the Intel architecture clearly handles those better. For general system responsiveness, office productivity, and everyday computing tasks that resemble Geekbench's workload mix, the i5-2405S is the stronger performer.

The overall average benchmark score confirms Intel's edge. At 991 versus 975, the i5-2405S holds a 1.6% lead in aggregate performance. The percentile ranking, 27th versus 26th, reinforces that the Intel part sits slightly higher in the overall CPU landscape. Neither processor is a modern powerhouse, but the data positions the Intel chip as the more capable all-around processor, with the AMD part winning specifically in Cinebench-style tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The AMD A10-7870K wins five of the seven head-to-head benchmark tests, all of them in the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core i5-2405S wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the AMD advantage in Cinebench?

A: The A10-7870K leads by 2.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 3% in R20 multi-core, and 2.9% in R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core.

Q: How large is the Intel advantage in Geekbench?

A: The i5-2405S leads by 14% in Geekbench multi-core and 11.6% in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-2405S has an average benchmark score of 991, compared to the AMD A10-7870K's 975.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has a 3.90 GHz base clock and 4.10 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core i5-2405S has a 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost clock.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category.

Process and Architecture: The AMD A10-7870K uses 28 nm Steamroller architecture (Godaveri codename) fabricated at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-2405S uses 32 nm Sandy Bridge architecture fabricated at Intel.

Transistors and Die Size: The AMD part contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. The Intel part contains 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die.

Clock Speeds: The A10-7870K runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i5-2405S runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

TDP: The AMD processor has a 95 W TDP. The Intel processor has a 65 W TDP.

Cache: The A10-7870K has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2, with no L3. The i5-2405S has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Socket: The AMD part uses AMD Socket FM2+. The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1155.

Integrated Graphics: The A10-7870K features Radeon R7 graphics. The i5-2405S features Intel HD 3000 graphics.

Memory: Both support DDR3 in dual-channel configuration. The AMD part lists 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth; the Intel field is not recorded.

Multiplier: The AMD A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-2405S does not.

Release Date: The AMD part was released on 2015-05-27. The Intel part was released on 2011-05-21.

PCIe: Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both are end-of-life production status.