AMD A10-7870K vs Intel Core i7-875K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between the Intel Core i7-875K and the AMD A10-7870K. Across seven recorded tests, the AMD processor claims five victories, while the Intel part takes two, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In the Cinebench suite, the AMD A10-7870K consistently outperforms the Intel Core i7-875K. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 299 against Intel's 275, a delta of 8 percent. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD posts 1249 versus Intel's 1146, again an 8.2 percent advantage. Single-threaded workloads show a similar gap: Cinebench R20 single-core favors AMD 176 to 161 (8.5 percent), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows AMD at 420 versus Intel's 385 (8.3 percent). The multi-core Cinebench R23 result follows the same trend, with AMD scoring 2975 compared to Intel's 2729, an 8.3 percent lead.

The Geekbench tests flip the narrative decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Core i7-875K scores 1696 against the AMD's 1225, a substantial 38.4 percent advantage. Geekbench single-core also goes to Intel, though by a narrower margin: 499 versus 478, a 4.4 percent edge. This is a striking divergence: AMD wins every Cinebench test by roughly 8 percent, while Intel dominates the multi-core Geekbench test by over a third.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall balance. The Intel Core i7-875K averages 984 points across its benchmark set, while the AMD A10-7870K averages 975. Both processors sit at the 27th and 26th percentiles, respectively, among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for Intel include the Intel Core i3-4130T at 984 points (0 percent delta) and the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983 (0.1 percent). For AMD, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i3-4130 and AMD Athlon X4 840, both at 975 points with a 0 percent delta.

The data suggests that the Cinebench results reflect sustained throughput in rendering-style workloads, while the Geekbench multi-core test appears to reward the Intel's thread count advantage more heavily. The 38.4 percent Geekbench delta is the largest single margin in the head-to-head table, dwarfing the 8.5 percent maximum advantage AMD manages in any Cinebench test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-875K is a 45 nm Nehalem part, codenamed Lynnfield, built on Intel's foundry. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The AMD A10-7870K uses a 28 nm Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, manufactured by GlobalFoundries, with 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. AMD's smaller process node allows for a much higher transistor count in a smaller physical area.

Core and thread configurations differ sharply. The Intel part offers 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading technology. The AMD part also has 4 physical cores but only 4 threads, meaning it cannot double its thread count. This explains the Geekbench multi-core disparity: Intel's extra threads provide a significant advantage in that specific workload.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD provides 256 KB of L1 cache total, 4 MB of L2 cache, and no L3 cache at all. Intel's larger, shared L3 cache likely helps in certain multi-threaded scenarios, while AMD's smaller L2-only design may be a limiting factor.

Memory bandwidth differs substantially. Both support DDR3 memory with dual-channel buses, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s compared to Intel's 21.3 GB/s. This 60 percent advantage in theoretical memory throughput could explain why AMD performs competitively in Cinebench despite having fewer threads.

PCIe support also differs. Intel offers PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. AMD's newer PCIe standard doubles the per-lane bandwidth, though this is less relevant for CPU-bound benchmarks.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The AMD A10-7870K includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU, while the Intel Core i7-875K has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the AMD part a complete APU solution, whereas the Intel chip requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

Both processors feature unlocked multipliers, making them overclocking-friendly. Intel's base clock runs at 2.93 GHz with a boost to 3.60 GHz, while AMD starts at 3.90 GHz and boosts to 4.10 GHz. AMD's higher raw clocks likely contribute to its consistent Cinebench wins, as those tests may be less sensitive to thread count and more sensitive to clock speed.

The release dates show a five-year gap: Intel launched on May 29, 2010, while AMD arrived on May 27, 2015. Both are now end-of-life products. The Intel part carried a launch MSRP of $353; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7870K wins in every Cinebench scenario recorded. This includes multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) and single-core tests (R20, R23). The margins are consistent, ranging from 8.0 to 8.5 percent in AMD's favor. This suggests that AMD's higher clock speeds (3.90 GHz base, 4.10 GHz boost) and superior memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s) give it an edge in rendering workloads that rely on raw compute throughput. The Cinebench suite appears to favor AMD's architectural strengths, likely its higher frequency and faster memory subsystem.

The Intel Core i7-875K wins decisively in Geekbench multi-core, with a 38.4 percent advantage. This test likely leverages Intel's 8 threads versus AMD's 4 threads, allowing the i7 to process more parallel work. The Intel part also edges out AMD in Geekbench single-core by 4.4 percent, a smaller margin that still favors Intel's per-thread efficiency despite lower clock speeds.

For use cases, the data points to clear scenarios. The AMD A10-7870K is better suited for applications that resemble Cinebench: CPU rendering, video encoding, and other compute-heavy tasks that scale with clock speed and memory throughput. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics also make it a viable option for systems without a discrete GPU, providing display output and basic graphical acceleration.

The Intel Core i7-875K excels in workloads that benefit from simultaneous multi-threading, as evidenced by its dominant Geekbench multi-core score. Applications that can use more than four threads will see a substantial benefit from Intel's 8-thread design. The Geekbench single-core win, while modest, also indicates that Intel's Nehalem architecture has strong per-core efficiency even at lower frequencies.

The overall percentile rankings are nearly identical: Intel at 27 percent, AMD at 26 percent. This means both processors sit in the same performance tier relative to all CPUs in the database. The average benchmark scores differ by only 9 points (984 versus 975), reinforcing that they are closely matched overall, but with different strengths in different test types.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks?

A: The AMD A10-7870K wins 5 out of 7 head-to-head tests, including all Cinebench variants. The Intel Core i7-875K wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Intel Core i7-875K leads by 38.4 percent (1696 versus 1225). The smallest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where Intel leads by 4.4 percent (499 versus 478).

Q: Does the AMD A10-7870K have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU. The Intel Core i7-875K has no integrated graphics, requiring a separate GPU for display.

Q: How do the thread counts differ?

A: The Intel Core i7-875K has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD A10-7870K has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning Intel can process twice as many threads simultaneously.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The Intel Core i7-875K averages 984 points, while the AMD A10-7870K averages 975 points. Both are within 0.1 percent of their nearest rivals in the database.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Intel Core i7-875K has a base clock of 2.93 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear, though split, recommendation. For users running Cinebench-style workloads, such as 3D rendering or CPU-based video encoding, the AMD A10-7870K is the stronger choice. Its consistent 8 percent lead across all Cinebench tests, combined with its integrated Radeon R7 graphics, makes it a more complete package for systems that lack a discrete GPU. The AMD part also offers higher clock speeds and 60 percent more memory bandwidth, which likely drive its Cinebench advantage.

For users who prioritize multi-threaded general computing, as measured by Geekbench, the Intel Core i7-875K is clearly superior. Its 38.4 percent multi-core advantage demonstrates that its 8-thread design provides substantial parallel throughput that AMD cannot match. The Intel part also wins single-core Geekbench, indicating better per-thread efficiency despite lower clocks.

The average scores are nearly identical (984 versus 975), and the percentile rankings are separated by just one point (27 versus 26). This suggests that neither processor is a universal winner. The choice hinges on the specific workload. If the software uses more than four threads, Intel wins. If the software relies on clock speed and memory bandwidth, AMD wins.

The Intel Core i7-875K, with its launch MSRP of $353, was positioned as a higher-end part in 2010. The AMD A10-7870K arrived five years later with a more modern 28 nm process and integrated graphics. Both are now end-of-life, but the data shows they remain competitive in different domains. The AMD part is the better all-rounder for budget-conscious builds that need graphics, while the Intel part is the better choice for threaded compute tasks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-875K | AMD A10-7870K |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 28 nm |

| 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 Bandwidth | 21.3 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon R7 |

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

| Architecture | Nehalem (Lynnfield) | Steamroller (Godaveri) |

| Release Date | 2010-05-29 | 2015-05-27 |

| Launch MSRP | $353 | Not recorded |