AMD Athlon X4 880K vs AMD FX-8320E Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the AMD Athlon X4 880K and AMD FX-8320E compare in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Athlon X4 880K records an average benchmark score of 1071, while the FX-8320E records 1059. The 12-point difference places the Athlon X4 880K in the 30th percentile of all CPUs, one percentile point above the FX-8320E at 29th.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The FX-8320E has 8 cores and 8 threads, double the 4 cores and 4 threads of the Athlon X4 880K. This core count advantage appears in the FX-8320E's Geekbench multi-core score of 1681, though the Athlon X4 880K has no recorded Geekbench multi-core result in the database.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds for each?

A: The Athlon X4 880K runs at a 4.00 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.20 GHz. The FX-8320E starts lower at 3.20 GHz base but boosts to 4.00 GHz, matching the Athlon's base frequency at its peak.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory type and bandwidth?

A: Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode. The Athlon X4 880K achieves 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the FX-8320E achieves 29.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the Athlon X4 880K and FX-8320E have unlocked multipliers, allowing manual frequency adjustment on compatible motherboards.

Q: What production status and socket do they use?

A: Both are end-of-life desktop processors. The Athlon X4 880K uses AMD Socket FM2+, while the FX-8320E uses AMD Socket AM3+. The FX-8320E also has a recorded release date of September 2014 and a launch MSRP of $147.

Architecture Differences

The Athlon X4 880K and FX-8320E come from different AMD architectures, which fundamentally shapes their performance profiles. The Athlon X4 880K is built on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, and manufactured on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The FX-8320E uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Vishera, on a larger 32 nm process from the same foundry.

The transistor counts differ notably. The Athlon X4 880K packs 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. The FX-8320E contains only 1,200 million transistors but spreads them across a larger 315 mm² die. This means the Athlon X4 880K achieves a much higher transistor density despite its smaller process node, while the FX-8320E's lower count suggests a simpler or less dense design per area.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The Athlon X4 880K provides 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The FX-8320E offers 384 KB of L1, 8 MB of L2, and an additional 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The FX-8320E's larger cache allocation, especially the L3, helps feed its eight cores.

PCIe support reflects their respective generations. The Athlon X4 880K supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The FX-8320E supports only PCIe Gen 2, with integrated graphics available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature. The Athlon X4 880K has no integrated graphics option listed.

Memory bandwidth favors the Athlon X4 880K. It delivers 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s for the FX-8320E, a difference that can matter in memory-sensitive workloads despite both using dual-channel DDR3.

The FX-8320E has a recorded release date of September 2014 and a launch MSRP of $147. The Athlon X4 880K has no release date or launch price in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data for these two CPUs does not include direct head-to-head test results. Instead, the database contains separate benchmark scores for each processor, which can be compared for relative performance.

The Athlon X4 880K has Cinebench results across multiple versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 313. In Cinebench R20, it reaches 1307 multi-core and 184 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it records 3114 multi-core and 439 single-core. These results show a consistent single-core performance profile, with the R23 single-core score of 439 indicating modest per-thread capability.

The FX-8320E has Geekbench results only. It scores 1681 in multi-core and 437 in single-core. The multi-core score of 1681 demonstrates the benefit of its 8 cores and 8 threads, while the single-core score of 437 sits nearly identical to the Athlon X4 880K's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 439.

Interpreting these numbers requires caution because the tests differ. The Athlon X4 880K's best multi-core result in Cinebench R23 is 3114, which reflects a 4-core workload. The FX-8320E's Geekbench multi-core score of 1681 reflects an 8-core workload. The FX-8320E's single-core Geekbench score of 437 aligns closely with the Athlon X4 880K's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 439, suggesting similar per-thread performance despite the clock speed differences.

The Athlon X4 880K has a 4.00 GHz base clock and 4.20 GHz boost, while the FX-8320E has a 3.20 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. The Athlon X4 880K's higher clocks likely explain its slightly stronger single-core showing, while the FX-8320E's core advantage explains its multi-core strength.

In terms of average benchmark scores, the Athlon X4 880K leads with 1071 versus 1059 for the FX-8320E. The nearest rivals for the Athlon X4 880K include the AMD Opteron 3380 at an identical 1071 score, the Intel Core i5-5287U at 1072 with a -0.1% delta, and the Intel Core i3-4170T also at 1072 with -0.1%. The Intel Processor N95 trails at 1070 with a 0.1% delta. For the FX-8320E, the Intel Core i3-4350 and AMD Ryzen 5 2500U both score 1058 with a 0.1% delta, the Intel Core i3-4360 scores 1061 with -0.2%, and the Intel Core i7-2760QM scores 1057 with 0.2%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Athlon X4 880K | AMD FX-8320E |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Architecture | Steamroller | Piledriver |

| Codename | Godaveri | Vishera |

| Process Node | 28 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 2,411 million | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | 245 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 256 KB | 384 KB |

| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 8 MB |

| L3 Cache | None | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s | 29.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | On certain motherboards (Chipset feature) |

| Socket | AMD Socket FM2+ | AMD Socket AM3+ |

| Release Date | Not recorded | 2014-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $147 |

Both CPUs share a 95 W TDP, dual-channel DDR3 memory support, no ECC memory capability, unlocked multipliers, and end-of-life production status. Both are desktop processors from AMD.

The Verdict

The data shows two processors with different strengths. The Athlon X4 880K wins on average benchmark score with 1071 versus 1059, meaning it sits about 1.1% higher in the database's aggregate metric. It also offers higher clock speeds: a 4.00 GHz base versus 3.20 GHz, and a 4.20 GHz boost versus 4.00 GHz. Its memory bandwidth advantage of 34.1 GB/s over 29.9 GB/s and PCIe Gen 3 support over Gen 2 make it the more modern-feeling platform.

The FX-8320E counters with double the cores and threads: 8 versus 4. It also provides more cache, with 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB L3, compared to the Athlon X4 880K's 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 1681 reflects the core advantage, though no comparable multi-core benchmark exists for the Athlon X4 880K in the database.

For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, the Athlon X4 880K appears stronger based on its higher clock speeds and marginally better single-core scores. For workloads that scale across many threads, the FX-8320E's 8-core design offers a clear structural advantage. The FX-8320E also has a recorded launch MSRP of $147, while the Athlon X4 880K has no such record.

The percentile rankings are close: 30th for the Athlon X4 880K versus 29th for the FX-8320E. This near parity in overall standing means neither CPU dominates the other in aggregate performance. The choice depends on the workload.

Where Each One Wins

The Athlon X4 880K wins in scenarios that favor higher clock speeds and memory throughput. Its 4.20 GHz boost clock exceeds the FX-8320E's 4.00 GHz boost, which helps in lightly threaded applications where a single core's speed determines performance. Its memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s outpaces the FX-8320E's 29.9 GB/s, benefiting memory-intensive tasks. The PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 CPU lanes provides a more modern interconnect for compatible devices. Its smaller 28 nm process node and higher transistor density also suggest better power efficiency per unit of work, though both share the same 95 W TDP.

The FX-8320E wins in multi-threaded workloads that can utilize 8 cores. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 1681 demonstrates this capability. The larger cache hierarchy, including 8 MB L2 and 8 MB shared L3, helps keep those cores fed with data. The 384 KB L1 cache also exceeds the Athlon X4 880K's 256 KB. For content creation, compilation, or any parallel workload, the FX-8320E's core count provides a structural advantage that clock speed cannot match.

In single-core performance, the two CPUs are nearly tied. The Athlon X4 880K's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 439 compares closely to the FX-8320E's Geekbench single-core score of 437. This near parity suggests that the Athlon X4 880K's higher clocks are offset by the FX-8320E's architecture differences, or that the different benchmarks are not directly comparable.

The database records zero head-to-head benchmark wins for either CPU, meaning no direct comparison tests exist. Based on available data, the Athlon X4 880K appears suited for users who need fast single-thread performance and modern platform features. The FX-8320E appears suited for users who need maximum thread count and cache capacity at the expense of clock speed and interconnect generation.