A8-6600K vs Core i7-860
A8-6600K
Core i7-860
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 A8-6600K is positioned at rank 426 and the Core i7-860 is on rank 986, so the A8-6600K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-6600K
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-860
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-6600K | Core i7-860 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-6600K | Core i7-860 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
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 A8-6600K and Core i7-860
A8-6600K
The A8-6600K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 3,002 points. Launch price was $142.
Core i7-860
The Core i7-860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 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: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,011 points. Launch price was $229.
Processing Power
The A8-6600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-860's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the A8-6600K versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860 — a 19.3% clock advantage for the A8-6600K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The A8-6600K uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-860 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-6600K scores 3,002 against the Core i7-860's 3,011 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-860. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-6600K vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860.
| Feature | A8-6600K | Core i7-860 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+21% | 3.46 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.9 GHz+39% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4096 kB+1500% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Richland (2013−2014) | Lynnfield (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,002 | 3,011 |
Memory & Platform
The A8-6600K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-860 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-6600K | Core i7-860 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1866 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (A8-6600K) / not specified (Core i7-860). The A8-6600K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8570D), while the Core i7-860 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-6600K rivals Core i3-4130.
| Feature | A8-6600K | Core i7-860 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 8570D | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on A8-6600K and Core i7-860
