A10-7890K vs Core i7-6650U

A10-7890K vs Core i7-6650U Performance Spectrum

A10-7890K

4 / 4

3,537

0.0%

Athlon II X3 460

Athlon II X4 641

Athlon X4 850

Ryzen Embedded R1305G

Ryzen 7 6800HS

Ryzen AI Max 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-6650U

2 / 4

3,557

+0.6%

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.

A10-7890K vs Core i7-6650U 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.

A10-7890K vs Core i7-6650U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10-7890K

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.9% higher average FPS across 37 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 i7-6650U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6650U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,537 vs 3,557).
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Core i7-6650U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A10-7890K across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while A10-7890K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A10-7890K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6650U better than A10-7890K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-7890K is ahead with a 13.9% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6650U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6650U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-6650U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-6650U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

A10-7890K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A10-7890K vs Core i7-6650U Technical Specifications

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

A10-7890K

The A10-7890K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) 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 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,537 points. Launch price was $150.

Core i7-6650U

The Core i7-6650U 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 2.2 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: 3,557 points. Launch price was $415.

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Processing Power

The A10-7890K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6650U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A10-7890K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the A10-7890K versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6650U — a 23.4% clock advantage for the A10-7890K (base: 4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The A10-7890K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-6650U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A10-7890K scores 3,537 against the Core i7-6650U's 3,557 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-6650U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A10-7890K vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6650U.

Feature	A10-7890K	Core i7-6650U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+26%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+82%	2.2 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	3,537	3,557
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—

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Memory & Platform

The A10-7890K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6650U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A10-7890K	Core i7-6650U
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 (A10-7890K) / not specified (Core i7-6650U). The A10-7890K includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-6650U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-7890K targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-7890K rivals Core i3-6100.