CPU
GPU
Core i5-6300U
A10-7860K
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 Core i5-6300U is positioned at rank 310 and the A10-7860K is on rank 392, so the Core i5-6300U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6300U
Performance Per Dollar A10-7860K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6300U | A10-7860K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($117) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6300U | A10-7860K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($117) |
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 Core i5-6300U and A10-7860K
Core i5-6300U
The Core i5-6300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,207 points. Launch price was $281.
A10-7860K
The A10-7860K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,237 points. Launch price was $130.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6300U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A10-7860K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A10-7860K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-6300U versus 4 GHz on the A10-7860K — a 28.6% clock advantage for the A10-7860K (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-6300U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the A10-7860K uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6300U scores 3,207 against the A10-7860K's 3,237 — a 0.9% lead for the A10-7860K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 967 vs 450, a 73% lead for the Core i5-6300U that directly translates to higher frame rates.
| Feature | Core i5-6300U | A10-7860K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 4 GHz+33% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+50% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 4096 kB+700% |
| Process | 14 nm-50% | 28 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Godaveri (2014−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,207 | 3,237 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 967+115% | 450 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-6300U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A10-7860K uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6300U versus DDR3-2133 on the A10-7860K — the Core i5-6300U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A10-7860K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6300U) vs 16 (A10-7860K) — the A10-7860K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-U (Core i5-6300U) and A55,A68H,A75,A78,A85X,A88X (A10-7860K).
| Feature | Core i5-6300U | A10-7860K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | FM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 16+33% |
Advanced Features
Only the A10-7860K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300U) vs AMD-V (A10-7860K). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 520 (Core i5-6300U) and Radeon R7 (A10-7860K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300U targets Mainstream Laptop, A10-7860K targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300U rivals PRO A12-9800B; A10-7860K rivals Core i3-6100.
| Feature | Core i5-6300U | A10-7860K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 520 | Radeon R7 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Budget |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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