A8-5600K vs Core i7-920

A8-5600K vs Core i7-920 Performance Spectrum

A8-5600K

4 / 4

2,860

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-920

4 / 8

2,866

+0.2%

Pentium Dual Core T2370

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.

A8-5600K vs Core i7-920 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.

A8-5600K vs Core i7-920: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5600K

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7560D, while Core i7-920 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i7-920.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,860 vs 2,866).
❌9900% higher power demand at 100W vs 1W.

Core i7-920

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 100W, a 99W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while A8-5600K mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-5600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-5600K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-920 better than A8-5600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-5600K is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-920 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-920 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-920 is the better buy right now. Core i7-920 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $284 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-5600K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A8-5600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-5600K vs Core i7-920 Technical Specifications

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

A8-5600K

The A8-5600K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,860 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i7-920

The Core i7-920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 2,866 points. Launch price was $340.

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Processing Power

The A8-5600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-920's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the A8-5600K versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-920 — a 28.4% clock advantage for the A8-5600K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The A8-5600K uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-920 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5600K scores 2,860 against the Core i7-920's 2,866 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-920. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5600K vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-920.

Feature	A8-5600K	Core i7-920
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+33%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+35%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,860	2,866

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Memory & Platform

The A8-5600K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-920 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-5600K	Core i7-920
Socket	FM2	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-5600K) / not specified (Core i7-920). The A8-5600K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7560D), while the Core i7-920 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-5600K rivals Core i3-3220.