A10-7850K vs Core i5-2405S

A10-7850K vs Core i5-2405S Performance Spectrum

A10-7850K

4 / 4

3,394

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2405S

4 / 4

3,397

+0.1%

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.

A10-7850K vs Core i5-2405S 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.

A10-7850K vs Core i5-2405S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10-7850K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,394 vs 3,397).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core i5-2405S

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A10-7850K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while A10-7850K mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2405S better than A10-7850K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-7850K is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2405S pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2405S 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?

Core i5-2405S is the better buy right now. Core i5-2405S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that A10-7850K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A10-7850K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A10-7850K vs Core i5-2405S Technical Specifications

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

A10-7850K

The A10-7850K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,394 points. Launch price was $173.

Core i5-2405S

The Core i5-2405S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,397 points. Launch price was $472.

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Processing Power

Both the A10-7850K and Core i5-2405S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the A10-7850K versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2405S — a 19.2% clock advantage for the A10-7850K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A10-7850K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-2405S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A10-7850K scores 3,394 against the Core i5-2405S's 3,397 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2405S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 510 vs 557, a 8.8% lead for the Core i5-2405S that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-7850K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2405S.

Feature	A10-7850K	Core i5-2405S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+21%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,394	3,397
Geekbench 6 Single	510	557+9%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,480

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Memory & Platform

The A10-7850K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2405S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the A10-7850K versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2405S — the A10-7850K supports 60% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A55,A58,A68H,A75,A78,A88X (A10-7850K) and H61,B65,Q65,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2405S).

Feature	A10-7850K	Core i5-2405S
Socket	FM2+	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Only the A10-7850K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A10-7850K) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i5-2405S). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A10-7850K) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2405S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-7850K targets Budget, Core i5-2405S targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-7850K rivals Core i3-4340.