AMD Athlon X4 760K vs Intel Core i5-680 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Athlon X4 760K and Intel Core i5-680 occupy the same overall performance tier, but they achieve that position through very different strengths. The database shows both processors sitting at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 777 for the Athlon and 772 for the Core i5. That is a gap of only 5 points, or roughly 0.6%, which puts them in a statistical dead heat for overall workload performance.

The Athlon X4 760K wins on raw multi-threaded throughput. Its four physical cores operating at a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz give it a clear advantage in workloads that can spread work across all cores. The recorded GeekBench multicore score of 1098 reflects this design. For anyone running heavily threaded applications, video encoding, or compiling code, the Athlon is the stronger option.

The Core i5-680 wins in single-threaded performance, despite having only two physical cores. Its Westmere architecture delivers better instructions-per-clock than AMD's Piledriver design. The Core i5-680 also carries integrated Intel HD graphics, something the Athlon X4 760K lacks entirely. That makes the Intel part a more complete package for a basic desktop build where a discrete graphics card is not planned.

The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Athlon X4 760K is the choice for multi-threaded workloads, while the Core i5-680 is the choice for lightly threaded tasks and systems needing integrated graphics. Neither part dominates the other across the board. The right pick depends entirely on what the system will be asked to do.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different design philosophies and different foundries. The Athlon X4 760K uses AMD's Piledriver architecture, built on the Richland codename, and is manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 32 nm process. It packs 1,303 million transistors into a 246 mm² die. The Core i5-680 uses Intel's Westmere architecture, specifically the Clarkdale codename, built on a 32 nm process by Intel. It contains only 382 million transistors on an 81 mm² die.

The transistor counts tell an interesting story. The Athlon has more than three times the transistor count of the Core i5, and its die is roughly three times larger. That is a direct consequence of AMD's decision to use four full cores on a monolithic die. The Core i5-680 uses a two-chip package design where the CPU die and the integrated graphics die sit side by side, which explains the much smaller CPU die size.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Athlon X4 760K has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Core i5-680 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. For a two-core part, that means the Intel chip has a smaller total L1 and L2 footprint but gains the benefit of a shared L3 pool. The Athlon's larger L2 can help in multi-threaded scenarios, but the Core i5's L3 helps reduce latency for frequently accessed data.

Both processors support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration. The Athlon X4 760K has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 29.9 GB/s, while the Core i5-680 is rated at 21.3 GB/s. The Athlon also has a fully unlocked multiplier, making it the clear choice for overclocking. The Core i5-680 has a locked multiplier, limiting overclocking headroom. The Intel part does bring integrated graphics, which the Athlon does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct head-to-head benchmark results are not recorded in the database, so the comparison relies on the available individual benchmark scores. The most telling numbers come from the GeekBench results for the Athlon X4 760K and the Cinebench results for the Core i5-680.

The Athlon X4 760K scores 1098 in GeekBench multicore. That is a strong result for a four-core part from the Piledriver generation. Its single-core score of 455 is much lower, reflecting the architectural weaknesses of Piledriver in latency-sensitive tasks. The Core i5-680 does not have a GeekBench score in the database, so a direct comparison on that specific test is not possible.

The Core i5-680 has Cinebench results across multiple versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore it scores 226. In Cinebench R20 it scores 942 multicore and 132 single-core. In Cinebench R23 it scores 2243 multicore and 316 single-core. These numbers show a processor that scales reasonably well across Cinebench versions but remains limited by its two physical cores.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database provides context. The Athlon X4 760K sits within 0.3% of the Intel Pentium G4520, the AMD A10-5800K, the Intel Pentium Silver J5005, and the Intel Celeron G5920. The Core i5-680 sits within 0.5% of the Intel Core i7-3687U, the Intel Celeron G5920, the Intel Core i3-3250T, and the Intel Pentium Silver J5005. The two CPUs are essentially peers, with the Athlon holding a 5-point average score advantage.

The practical reading of the data is that the Athlon X4 760K will pull ahead in multi-threaded rendering and encoding tasks that use all four cores. The Core i5-680 will pull ahead in single-threaded tasks like everyday application responsiveness, older games, and lightly threaded productivity software. The magnitude of the multi-core advantage is larger than the single-core advantage, which favors the Athlon for mixed workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field in the database. The Athlon X4 760K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Core i5-680 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are close: 3.80 GHz for the Athlon versus 3.60 GHz for the Core i5. Boost clocks are similarly close: 4.10 GHz versus 3.87 GHz. The Athlon runs a higher thermal envelope at 100 W TDP, while the Core i5-680 is more power-efficient at 73 W TDP.

Sockets are completely different. The Athlon X4 760K uses AMD Socket FM2, while the Core i5-680 uses Intel Socket 1156. Anyone building a system must choose a motherboard platform first, and these two CPUs are not interchangeable in any way.

Memory bandwidth favors the Athlon at 29.9 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s for the Core i5. Both support DDR3 in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC memory. PCIe support is Gen 2 for both, though the Core i5-680 specifies 16 lanes from the CPU only.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The Core i5-680 includes Intel HD graphics, while the Athlon X4 760K has no integrated graphics at all. That means a system built around the Athlon requires a discrete graphics card, while a Core i5-680 system can run with just the motherboard video outputs.

The Athlon X4 760K has an unlocked multiplier, enabling easy overclocking. The Core i5-680 has a locked multiplier. The Athlon was released on May 31, 2013, while the Core i5-680 was released on April 18, 2010. Both are end-of-life products. The Core i5-680 had a launch MSRP of $294. The Athlon X4 760K has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 760K is faster in multi-threaded workloads. Its GeekBench multicore score of 1098 comes from four physical cores, while the Core i5-680 has only two physical cores. The Athlon also has a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz and a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 3.87 GHz.

Q: Which CPU is better for a system without a discrete graphics card?

A: The Intel Core i5-680 is the only option for a system without a discrete graphics card. It includes integrated Intel HD graphics, while the AMD Athlon X4 760K has no integrated graphics. An Athlon X4 760K build requires a separate GPU to produce any display output.

Q: Do these CPUs use the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The AMD Athlon X4 760K uses AMD Socket FM2, and the Intel Core i5-680 uses Intel Socket 1156. These platforms are not compatible with each other, so the motherboard choice determines which CPU can be used.

Q: Which CPU has better memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 760K has higher memory bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s, compared to 21.3 GB/s for the Intel Core i5-680. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: Can either CPU be overclocked?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 760K has an unlocked multiplier, making it suitable for overclocking. The Intel Core i5-680 has a locked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported in the same way.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 760K has an average benchmark score of 777, and the Intel Core i5-680 has an average benchmark score of 772. Both sit at the 21st percentile among all CPUs, making them effectively equivalent in overall performance.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward recommendation based on workload. The AMD Athlon X4 760K is the pick for multi-threaded applications. Its four cores, higher clocks, and higher memory bandwidth deliver a GeekBench multicore score of 1098, which is a strong result for a processor in the 21st percentile overall. It also has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, which can extend its useful life in the hands of an experienced builder. The trade-off is a 100 W TDP, no integrated graphics, and a socket that is long dead.

The Intel Core i5-680 is the pick for single-threaded performance and for builds that need integrated graphics. Its Westmere architecture gives it better per-core efficiency, and the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 316 shows it can hold its own in lightly threaded tasks. The 73 W TDP makes it easier to cool, and the included Intel HD graphics mean a basic system can be assembled without a discrete GPU. The locked multiplier and two physical cores limit its ceiling, however.

For a modern buyer, both parts are firmly end-of-life products. The Athlon X4 760K offers more raw compute for threaded workloads and overclocking headroom. The Core i5-680 offers efficiency, integrated graphics, and better single-threaded behavior. The benchmark averages are nearly identical, so the deciding factors come down to the specific use case: threaded performance favors AMD, and simplicity favors Intel.