Athlon X4 850 vs Core i7-870S

Athlon X4 850 vs Core i7-870S Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 850

4 / 4

2,756

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-870S

4 / 8

2,765

+0.3%

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.

Athlon X4 850 vs Core i7-870S 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.

Athlon X4 850 vs Core i7-870S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X4 850

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $223 less on MSRP ($77 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 288.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.8 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($77 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 82W, a 17W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,756 vs 2,765).

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 35.8 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $77 MSRP).
❌26.2% higher power demand at 82W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 850 better than Core i7-870S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 850 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-870S pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-870S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Athlon X4 850 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 850 comes in $223 cheaper on MSRP at $77 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-870S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 288.3% better value on MSRP (35.8 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon X4 850 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 850 vs Core i7-870S Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 850

The Athlon X4 850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,756 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon X4 850 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-870S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X4 850 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S — a 8% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 850 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Athlon X4 850 uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-870S uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 850 scores 2,756 against the Core i7-870S's 2,765 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-870S.

Feature	Athlon X4 850	Core i7-870S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+20%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,756	2,765

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 850 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-870S uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon X4 850	Core i7-870S
Socket	FM2+	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon X4 850) / not specified (Core i7-870S). Primary use case: Athlon X4 850 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon X4 850	Core i7-870S
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 850 was priced at $77, while the Core i7-870S came in at $300. On launch pricing ($77 vs $300), Athlon X4 850 was $223 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 850 delivers 35.8 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-870S — making the Athlon X4 850 the 118.1% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 850	Core i7-870S
MSRP	$77-74%	$300
Performance per Dollar	35.8+289%	9.2
Release Date	2015	2010

Search Athlon X4 850 on Amazon

Search Core i7-870S 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.