Athlon X4 860K vs Athlon X4 870K

Athlon X4 860K vs Athlon X4 870K Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 860K

4 / 4

3,425

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon X4 870K

4 / 4

3,443

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 860K vs Athlon X4 870K 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 860K vs Athlon X4 870K: 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 860K

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.8 vs 38.3 PassMark/$ ($80 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,425 vs 3,443).

Athlon X4 870K

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.3 vs 42.8 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $80 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 870K better than Athlon X4 860K?

Yes. Athlon X4 870K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 32 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, Athlon X4 870K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% more average FPS across 32 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 870K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 870K is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon X4 870K comes in 12.5% more expensive on MSRP at $90 MSRP versus $80 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 32 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon X4 860K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 11.9% better value on paper (42.8 vs 38.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on FM2+.

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

Athlon X4 870K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 860K vs Athlon X4 870K Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 860K

The Athlon X4 860K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. 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: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,425 points. Launch price was $149.

Athlon X4 870K

The Athlon X4 870K 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,443 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon X4 860K and Athlon X4 870K share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Athlon X4 860K versus 4.1 GHz on the Athlon X4 870K — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 870K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Athlon X4 860K uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon X4 870K uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 860K scores 3,425 against the Athlon X4 870K's 3,443 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon X4 870K.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Athlon X4 870K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
L2 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
Process	28 nm	28 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Godaveri (2014−2016)
PassMark	3,425	3,443

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FM2+ socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 860K) and AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 870K).

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Athlon X4 870K
Socket	FM2+	FM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	DDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 860K was priced at $80, while the Athlon X4 870K came in at $90. On launch pricing ($80 vs $90), Athlon X4 860K was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 860K delivers 42.8 pts/$ vs 38.3 pts/$ for the Athlon X4 870K — making the Athlon X4 860K the 11.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Athlon X4 870K
MSRP	$80-11%	$90
Performance per Dollar	42.8+12%	38.3
Release Date	2014	2015

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