A10-7870K vs Core i3-8130U

A10-7870K vs Core i3-8130U Performance Spectrum

A10-7870K

4 / 4

3,506

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-8130U

2 / 4

3,521

+0.4%

Core i7-3689Y

Celeron G3920

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

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.

A10-7870K vs Core i3-8130U 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.

A10-7870K vs Core i3-8130U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10-7870K

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-8130U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,506 vs 3,521).
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Core i3-8130U

2018

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A10-7870K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A10-7870K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-8130U better than A10-7870K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-7870K is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-8130U 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 i3-8130U 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 i3-8130U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-8130U 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 i3-8130U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) 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.

A10-7870K vs Core i3-8130U Technical Specifications

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

A10-7870K

The A10-7870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 28 May 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 3,506 points. Launch price was $120.

Core i3-8130U

The Core i3-8130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,521 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The A10-7870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-8130U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-7870K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the A10-7870K versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-8130U — a 18.7% clock advantage for the A10-7870K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The A10-7870K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-8130U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A10-7870K scores 3,506 against the Core i3-8130U's 3,521 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-8130U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 550 vs 1,050, a 62.5% lead for the Core i3-8130U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-7870K vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-8130U.

Feature	A10-7870K	Core i3-8130U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+21%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+77%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,506	3,521
Geekbench 6 Single	550	1,050+91%

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Memory & Platform

The A10-7870K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-8130U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the A10-7870K versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-8130U — the Core i3-8130U supports 12.5% 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 (A10-7870K) vs 12 (Core i3-8130U) — the A10-7870K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A10-7870K	Core i3-8130U
Socket	FM2+	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Only the A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A10-7870K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-8130U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A10-7870K) and UHD Graphics 620 (Core i3-8130U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-7870K targets Budget, Core i3-8130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: A10-7870K rivals Core i3-4370; Core i3-8130U rivals Ryzen 3 2200U.