A10-7870K vs Core i7-2657M
A10-7870K
Core i7-2657M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A10-7870K is positioned at rank 368 and the Core i7-2657M is on rank 268, so the Core i7-2657M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A10-7870K
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2657M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A10-7870K | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A10-7870K | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A10-7870K and Core i7-2657M
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 i7-2657M
The Core i7-2657M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,491 points. Launch price was $317.
Processing Power
The A10-7870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2657M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-7870K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the A10-7870K versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M — a 41.2% clock advantage for the A10-7870K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The A10-7870K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-2657M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A10-7870K scores 3,506 against the Core i7-2657M's 3,491 — a 0.4% lead for the A10-7870K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 550 vs 535, a 2.8% lead for the A10-7870K that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-7870K vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2657M.
| Feature | A10-7870K | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+52% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz+144% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4096 kB+700% | 512 kB |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Godaveri (2014−2016) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,506 | 3,491 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 550+3% | 535 |
Memory & Platform
The A10-7870K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2657M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-2133 memory speed. The A10-7870K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A55,A68H,A75,A78,A85X,A88X (A10-7870K) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2657M).
| Feature | A10-7870K | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2+ | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-2133 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
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 i7-2657M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R7 (A10-7870K) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2657M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-7870K targets Budget, Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: A10-7870K rivals Core i3-4370; Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M.
| Feature | A10-7870K | Core i7-2657M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R7 | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Budget | Ultrabook |
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