AMD A8-6600K vs AMD FX-9800P Comparison
AMD A8-6600K
FX-9800P
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD A8-6600K vs AMD FX-9800P
The Verdict
The recorded benchmark data shows a clear, though narrow, victory for the AMD FX-9800P over the AMD A8-6600K. In the only shared benchmark tests, the FX-9800P wins both: it is 4.5% ahead in Geekbench multicore and 9.4% ahead in Geekbench singlecore. The A8-6600K does not win a single head-to-head test. For a buyer choosing strictly between these two end-of-life parts, the FX-9800P is the better performer in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads according to the database.
However, the choice is not just about raw speed. The FX-9800P is a mobile part with a 15 TDP, while the A8-6600K is a desktop part with a 100 TDP. This is a massive difference in power draw, favoring the FX-9800P for any system where heat and battery life matter. The A8-6600K does have a higher base clock (3.90 GHz versus 2.70 GHz) and boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.60 GHz), but this does not translate into benchmark wins. The data indicates that the FX-9800P is the more efficient choice, delivering higher Geekbench scores despite a much lower power envelope. For a new build, the FX-9800P is the clear choice from the data. For a drop-in upgrade to an existing Socket FM2 system, the A8-6600K remains an option, but it is slower in the recorded tests.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different AMD generations and are built on different process nodes. The A8-6600K uses the Piledriver architecture, specifically the Richland codename, and is fabricated on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The FX-9800P uses the Excavator architecture, codenamed Bristol Ridge, and is built on a 28 nm process, also at GlobalFoundries.
The transistor counts differ substantially. The A8-6600K has 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The FX-9800P has 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. This means the FX-9800P packs more than twice the transistor count into a similar die area, reflecting the denser 28 nm process.
Cache configurations also differ. The A8-6600K has a 192 KB L1 cache and a 4 MB L2 cache. The FX-9800P has a larger L1 cache at 320 KB, but its L2 cache is listed as 1 MB per module, which can be smaller in total depending on module configuration. Neither processor has an L3 cache.
The integrated graphics differ. The A8-6600K includes a Radeon HD 8570D, while the FX-9800P includes a Radeon R7 8CU. The FX-9800P also supports DDR4 memory, while the A8-6600K is limited to DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical theoretical bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s.
The A8-6600K has an unlocked multiplier, making it a candidate for overclocking. The FX-9800P does not have an unlocked multiplier. The FX-9800P supports PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes for the CPU, while the A8-6600K supports PCIe Gen 2.
Where Each One Wins
The FX-9800P wins in every recorded head-to-head test, but the margin tells a story. Its largest advantage is in single-core performance, where it is 9.4% ahead of the A8-6600K. This suggests the Excavator architecture has a stronger per-core efficiency, even at lower clock speeds. The FX-9800P also wins in multicore performance, but by a smaller margin of 4.5%.
The A8-6600K does not win any of the shared tests. However, it does have a unique claim: it is a desktop part with higher clock speeds. The data shows its Geekbench multicore score is 1076, which is close to the FX-9800P's 1127, indicating that the higher clocks help offset the architectural disadvantage. The A8-6600K also has the advantage of an unlocked multiplier, which is not reflected in the stock benchmark scores but is a feature for users who intend to overclock.
For use cases, the FX-9800P is the better pick for mobile or low-power systems, as its 15 TDP is a fraction of the A8-6600K's 100 TDP. The FX-9800P also offers DDR4 support and PCIe Gen 3, which are newer interface standards. The A8-6600K is the only choice for the Socket FM2 platform, and its unlocked multiplier may appeal to tweakers stuck on that platform, but the benchmark data shows it is slower in both tests.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher Geekbench single-core score?
A: The AMD FX-9800P scores 498, which is 9.4% higher than the AMD A8-6600K's 451.
Q: What is the power draw difference between these two CPUs?
A: The A8-6600K has a TDP of 100, while the FX-9800P has a TDP of 15, making the FX-9800P far more power-efficient based on the recorded specs.
Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?
A: Only the AMD FX-9800P supports DDR4. The AMD A8-6600K is limited to DDR3.
Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?
A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.
Q: Can the A8-6600K be overclocked?
A: Yes, the A8-6600K has an unlocked multiplier. The FX-9800P does not have an unlocked multiplier.
Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?
A: The A8-6600K has an average benchmark score of 764, while the FX-9800P has an average benchmark score of 745.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The database includes two direct comparisons between these processors, both in Geekbench tests. The first test is the Geekbench multicore score. The A8-6600K records 1076, while the FX-9800P records 1127. This gives the FX-9800P a 4.5% lead. This is a narrow margin, suggesting that the two chips are broadly comparable in multi-threaded workloads, despite the FX-9800P's much lower clock speed and TDP.
The second test is the Geekbench single-core score. Here, the FX-9800P has a more decisive edge. It scores 498 versus 451 for the A8-6600K, a 9.4% advantage. This is a notable result because it shows the FX-9800P's Excavator architecture is significantly stronger per clock than the A8-6600K's Piledriver design. The FX-9800P wins this test despite having a 1.2 GHz lower base clock and a 0.6 GHz lower boost clock.
These two results are the only head-to-head benchmarks in the database, and the FX-9800P wins both. The A8-6600K has zero head-to-head wins. The data does not show any test where the A8-6600K outperforms the FX-9800P. The FX-9800P's advantage in single-core is nearly double its advantage in multi-core, suggesting that its architectural improvements are most visible in lightly threaded tasks.
The A8-6600K's average benchmark score is 764, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3537U at 766 (-0.3%), the Intel Core i3-3240 at 761 (+0.5%), and the Intel Core i5-3210M at 758 (+0.8%). The FX-9800P's average score is 745, with nearest rivals including the AMD A10 PRO-7800B at 746 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i5-4200U at 746 (-0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-750 at 747 (-0.3%). Both processors sit at the 20th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are comparable to many older mainstream parts.
Specification Differences
The following table highlights the key differences between the AMD A8-6600K and the AMD FX-9800P, based solely on the data provided.
| Specification | AMD A8-6600K | AMD FX-9800P |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Architecture | Piledriver | Excavator |
| Codename | Richland | Bristol Ridge |
| Process Node | 32 nm | 28 nm |
| Transistors | 1,303 million | 3,100 million |
| Die Size | 246 mm² | 250 mm² |
| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 2.70 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.60 GHz |
| TDP | 100 | 15 |
| Socket | AMD Socket FM2 | AMD Socket FP4 |
| L1 Cache | 192 KB | 320 KB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 1 MB (per module) |
| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |
| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |
| Integrated Graphics | Radeon HD 8570D | Radeon R7 8CU |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |
| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |
| Release Date | 2013-05-31 | 2016-05-30 |
| Geekbench Multicore | 1076 | 1127 |
| Geekbench Singlecore | 451 | 498 |
| AvgBenchmarkScore | 764 | 745 |
| Percentile | 20 | 20 |
The most significant differences are the TDP, clock speeds, and memory support. The FX-9800P uses a much smaller process node, has a larger transistor count, and features a newer architecture. The A8-6600K has higher clock speeds and an unlocked multiplier, but the benchmark data shows the FX-9800P is faster in both Geekbench tests. The FX-9800P is the newer part, released in 2016, while the A8-6600K was released in 2013.