Core i7-860 vs PRO A12-8870E
Core i7-860
PRO A12-8870E
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 PRO A12-8870E is on rank 352, so the PRO A12-8870E 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 PRO A12-8870E
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-860 | PRO A12-8870E |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-860 | PRO A12-8870E |
|---|---|---|
| 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 PRO A12-8870E
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.
PRO A12-8870E
The PRO A12-8870E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Outubro 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,010 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i7-860 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the PRO A12-8870E's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860 versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A12-8870E — a 9.4% clock advantage for the PRO A12-8870E (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-860 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the PRO A12-8870E uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860 scores 3,011 against the PRO A12-8870E's 3,010 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-860.
| Feature | Core i7-860 | PRO A12-8870E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.8 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.9 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2048 kB+700% |
| Process | 45 nm | 28 nm-38% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Carrizo (2015−2018) |
| PassMark | 3,011 | 3,010 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-860 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A12-8870E uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-860 | PRO A12-8870E |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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