Core i7-870 vs A10-7700K
Core i7-870
A10-7700K
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 i7-870 is positioned at rank 987 and the A10-7700K is on rank 402, so the A10-7700K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-870
Performance Per Dollar A10-7700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-870 | A10-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($152) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-870 | A10-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+89%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($152) |
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 i7-870 and A10-7700K
Core i7-870
The Core i7-870 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 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.
A10-7700K
The A10-7700K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,182 points. Launch price was $152.
Processing Power
The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the A10-7700K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 3.8 GHz on the A10-7700K — a 5.4% clock advantage for the A10-7700K (base: 2.93 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the A10-7700K uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the A10-7700K's 3,182 — a 0.6% lead for the A10-7700K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 476 vs 442, a 7.4% lead for the Core i7-870 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870 vs 0 kB on the A10-7700K.
| Feature | Core i7-870 | A10-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.5 GHz+19% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4096 kB+1500% |
| Process | 45 nm | 28 nm-38% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Godaveri (2014−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,164 | 3,182 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 476+8% | 442 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,541 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A10-7700K uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The A10-7700K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-870) and A55,A58,A68H,A75,A78,A85X,A88X (A10-7700K).
| Feature | Core i7-870 | A10-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | FM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the A10-7700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-870) vs AMD-V (A10-7700K). The A10-7700K includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Core i7-870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-870 targets Legacy Desktop, A10-7700K targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-7700K rivals Core i3-4360.
| Feature | Core i7-870 | A10-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Radeon R7 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-870 launched at $300 MSRP, while the A10-7700K debuted at $152.
| Feature | Core i7-870 | A10-7700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $300 | $152-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80 | — |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2014 |
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