A10-7850K vs Core i7-6600U

AMD

A10-7850K

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-6600U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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A10-7850K vs Core i7-6600U 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.

A10-7850K vs Core i7-6600U 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 i7-6600U: 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: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i7-6600U needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6600U.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (3,394 vs 3,407).
  • 533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Core i7-6600U

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.4% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A10-7850K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • No integrated graphics, while A10-7850K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike A10-7850K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6600U better than A10-7850K?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-7850K is ahead with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6600U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6600U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-6600U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-6600U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-6600U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A10-7850K vs Core i7-6600U Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Core i7-6600U

The Core i7-6600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,407 points. Launch price was $393.

Processing Power

The A10-7850K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-7850K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the A10-7850K versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U — a 16.2% clock advantage for the A10-7850K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The A10-7850K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-6600U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A10-7850K scores 3,394 against the Core i7-6600U's 3,407 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-6600U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-7850K vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U.

FeatureA10-7850KCore i7-6600U
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
4 GHz+18%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+42%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
4 MB
L2 Cache
4096 kB+700%
512 kB
Process
28 nm
14 nm-50%
Architecture
Godaveri (2014−2016)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
3,394
3,407
Geekbench 6 Single
510
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Memory & Platform

The A10-7850K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureA10-7850KCore i7-6600U
Socket
FM2+
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A10-7850K) / not specified (Core i7-6600U). The A10-7850K includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-6600U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-7850K targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-7850K rivals Core i3-4340.

FeatureA10-7850KCore i7-6600U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon R7
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget