A10 PRO-7850B vs Core i7-960

A10 PRO-7850B vs Core i7-960 Performance Spectrum

A10 PRO-7850B

4 / 4

3,441

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-960

4 / 8

3,400

0.0%

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 PRO-7850B vs Core i7-960 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 PRO-7850B vs Core i7-960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A10 PRO-7850B

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Core i7-960 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.1 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Core i7-960

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $117 less on MSRP ($309 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.0 vs 8.1 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,400 vs 3,441).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A10 PRO-7850B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A10 PRO-7850B better than Core i7-960?

Yes. A10 PRO-7850B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A10 PRO-7850B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% more average FPS across 41 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A10 PRO-7850B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A10 PRO-7850B is still the much better call for a fresh build. A10 PRO-7850B comes in 37.9% more expensive on MSRP at $426 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 36.2% better value on paper (11.0 vs 8.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1366.

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

A10 PRO-7850B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A10 PRO-7850B vs Core i7-960 Technical Specifications

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

A10 PRO-7850B

The A10 PRO-7850B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. 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: 3,441 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-960

The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The A10 PRO-7850B packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-960's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the A10 PRO-7850B versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the A10 PRO-7850B (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The A10 PRO-7850B uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-960 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A10 PRO-7850B scores 3,441 against the Core i7-960's 3,400 — a 1.2% lead for the A10 PRO-7850B.

Feature	A10 PRO-7850B	Core i7-960
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+16%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,441+1%	3,400
Geekbench 6 Single	470	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A10 PRO-7850B uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-960 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A10 PRO-7850B	Core i7-960
Socket	FM2+	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A10 PRO-7850B) / not specified (Core i7-960). The A10 PRO-7850B includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10 PRO-7850B targets Business Desktop. Direct competitor: A10 PRO-7850B rivals Core i5-4590.

Feature	A10 PRO-7850B	Core i7-960
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Business Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A10 PRO-7850B was priced at $426, while the Core i7-960 came in at $309. On launch pricing ($426 vs $309), Core i7-960 was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A10 PRO-7850B delivers 8.1 pts/$ vs 11.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-960 — making the Core i7-960 the 30.7% better value option.

Feature	A10 PRO-7850B	Core i7-960
MSRP	$426	$309-27%
Performance per Dollar	8.1	11.0+36%
Release Date	2014	2009

Search A10 PRO-7850B on Amazon

Search Core i7-960 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.