A10-6790K vs Core i5-6198DU

AMD

A10-6790K

4 Cores4 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-6198DU

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2015
Similar parts
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A10-6790K vs Core i5-6198DU Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A10-6790K vs Core i5-6198DU FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A10-6790K vs Core i5-6198DU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A10-6790K

2013

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 100W instead of 512W, a 412W reduction.
  • 33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6198DU.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-6198DU

2015

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A10-6790K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (3,109 vs 3,112).
    • 412% higher power demand at 512W vs 100W.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike A10-6790K.

    Quick Answers

    So, is A10-6790K better than Core i5-6198DU?
    Yes. A10-6790K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, A10-6790K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A10-6790K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    A10-6790K still makes the most sense overall. A10-6790K comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Core i5-6198DU makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    A10-6790K vs Core i5-6198DU Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    AMD

    A10-6790K

    The A10-6790K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,112 points. Launch price was $130.

    Intel

    Core i5-6198DU

    The Core i5-6198DU is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,109 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The A10-6790K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6198DU offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-6790K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the A10-6790K versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6198DU — a 42.3% clock advantage for the A10-6790K (base: 4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A10-6790K uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-6198DU uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A10-6790K scores 3,112 against the Core i5-6198DU's 3,109 — a 0.1% lead for the A10-6790K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 412 vs 946, a 78.6% lead for the Core i5-6198DU that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-6790K vs 3 MB on the Core i5-6198DU.

    FeatureA10-6790KCore i5-6198DU
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 4+100%
    2 / 4
    Boost Clock
    4.3 GHz+54%
    2.8 GHz
    Base Clock
    4 GHz+74%
    2.3 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    3 MB
    L2 Cache
    4096 kB+700%
    512 kB
    Process
    32 nm
    14 nm-56%
    Architecture
    Richland (2013−2014)
    Skylake (2015−2016)
    PassMark
    3,112
    3,109
    Geekbench 6 Single
    412
    946+130%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The A10-6790K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6198DU uses BGA (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the A10-6790K versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6198DU — the Core i5-6198DU supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A10-6790K) vs 12 (Core i5-6198DU) — the A10-6790K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A58,A68H,A75,A78,A85X,A88X (A10-6790K) and Integrated (Core i5-6198DU).

    FeatureA10-6790KCore i5-6198DU
    Socket
    FM2
    BGA
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1866
    DDR4-2133+14%
    Max RAM Capacity
    32 GB
    32 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    16+33%
    12
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Only the A10-6790K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A10-6790K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6198DU). Both include integrated graphics Radeon HD 8670D (A10-6790K) and HD Graphics 510 (Core i5-6198DU) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-6790K targets Budget, Core i5-6198DU targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: A10-6790K rivals Core i3-4340; Core i5-6198DU rivals A9-9410.

    FeatureA10-6790KCore i5-6198DU
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Radeon HD 8670D
    HD Graphics 510
    Unlocked
    Yes
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    Target Use
    Budget
    Entry Level Laptop