Core i7-4600M vs A10-6800K
Core i7-4600M
A10-6800K
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 i7-4600M is positioned at rank 71 and the A10-6800K is on rank 401, so the Core i7-4600M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4600M
Performance Per Dollar A10-6800K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4600M | A10-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4600M | A10-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i7-4600M and A10-6800K
Core i7-4600M
The Core i7-4600M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,204 points. Launch price was $346.
A10-6800K
The A10-6800K 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 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,186 points. Launch price was $142.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4600M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A10-6800K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A10-6800K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4600M versus 4.4 GHz on the A10-6800K — a 20% clock advantage for the A10-6800K (base: 2.9 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i7-4600M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the A10-6800K uses Richland (2013−2014) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4600M scores 3,204 against the A10-6800K's 3,186 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-4600M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,025 vs 477, a 73% lead for the Core i7-4600M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4600M vs 0 kB on the A10-6800K.
| Feature | Core i7-4600M | A10-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.4 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz+41% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 4096 kB+1500% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Richland (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 3,204 | 3,186 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 656 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,025+115% | 477 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,132 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4600M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A10-6800K uses FM2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L 1600 MHz on the Core i7-4600M versus DDR3-2133 on the A10-6800K — the Core i7-4600M supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i7-4600M) and A55,A75,A85X (A10-6800K).
| Feature | Core i7-4600M | A10-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA946 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L 1600 MHz | DDR3-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the A10-6800K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-4600M) vs AMD-V (A10-6800K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4600M) and Radeon HD 8670D (A10-6800K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4600M targets Mobile, A10-6800K targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-6800K rivals Core i3-4130.
| Feature | Core i7-4600M | A10-6800K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | Radeon HD 8670D |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mobile | Budget |
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