Core i7-860 vs A8-6600K
Core i7-860
A8-6600K
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 i7-860 is positioned at rank 986 and the A8-6600K is on rank 426, 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 Core i7-860
Performance Per Dollar A8-6600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-860 | A8-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-860 | A8-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-860 and A8-6600K
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-860 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the A8-6600K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860 versus 4.2 GHz on the A8-6600K — a 19.3% clock advantage for the A8-6600K (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i7-860 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the A8-6600K uses Richland (2013−2014) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860 scores 3,011 against the A8-6600K's 3,002 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-860. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-860 vs 0 kB on the A8-6600K.
| Feature | Core i7-860 | A8-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz | 4.2 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.9 GHz+39% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4096 kB+1500% |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Richland (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 3,011 | 3,002 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-860 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A8-6600K uses FM2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-860 | A8-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-860) / true (A8-6600K). 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 | Core i7-860 | A8-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 8570D |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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