🚀 CPU Launch

Intel Core i5-11600K vs AMD Athlon X4 860K

Table of Contents



Overview:

Comparison between Intel Core i5-11600K and AMD Athlon X4 860K

Intel Core i5-11600K is manufactured by Intel, while AMD Athlon X4 860K is manufactured by AMD. Intel Core i5-11600K has a higher base speed of 3.9 GHz compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's 3.7 GHz. Intel Core i5-11600K has a higher turbo speed of 4.9 GHz compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's 4.0 GHz. Intel Core i5-11600K has more cores (6) compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's 4 cores. Intel Core i5-11600K supports more threads (12) compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's threads.

Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop. Intel Core i5-11600K uses the FCLGA1200 socket, while AMD Athlon X4 860K uses the FM2+ socket. Intel Core i5-11600K was launched in Q2 2021, while AMD Athlon X4 860K was launched in Q3 2014. Intel Core i5-11600K has a larger L3 cache of 12 MB compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's MB.

Specification Summary

The Intel Core i5-11600K and AMD Athlon X4 860K are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:

  • Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by Intel.
  • Speed: The Intel Core i5-11600K has a base speed of 3.9 GHz, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K runs at 3.7 GHz.
  • Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i5-11600K supports a turbo speed of 4.9 GHz, compared to 4.0 GHz for the AMD Athlon X4 860K.
  • Cores: The Intel Core i5-11600K has 6 cores, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K has 4 cores.
  • Threads: The Intel Core i5-11600K supports 12 threads, compared to threads for the AMD Athlon X4 860K.
  • Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
  • Socket: The Intel Core i5-11600K uses the FCLGA1200, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K uses the FM2+.
  • Launch Date: The Intel Core i5-11600K was launched on Q2 2021, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K was released on Q3 2014.
  • L3 Cache: The Intel Core i5-11600K has 12 MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon X4 860K.

Detailed Specifications:

Specs Intel Core i5-11600K AMD Athlon X4 860K
Intel AMD
Manufacturer Intel AMD
Speed 3.9 GHz 3.7 GHz
Turbo 4.9 GHz 4.0 GHz
Cores 6 4
Threads 12
Class Desktop Desktop
Socket FCLGA1200 FM2+
Launched Q2 2021 Q3 2014
L3 Cache 12 MB MB

Review:

Single Core Performance:


CPU Performance in single-threaded applications

Intel Core i5-11600K:



55%
AMD Athlon X4 860K:
25%
* More is Better

Multi Core Performance:


CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications

Intel Core i5-11600K



28%
AMD Athlon X4 860K:
4%
* More is Better

Power Efficiency:


Power Consumption of CPU under full load

Intel Core i5-11600K: 125 watts



31.25%
AMD Athlon X4 860K: 95 watts
23.75%
* Lower is Better

Launched Date:


Time when the CPU was launched


Intel Core i5-11600K : Q2 2021 ✅

AMD Athlon X4 860K : Q3 2014 ✅

* Newer is Better

CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:

CPU Final Rating Ratings

Intel Core i5-11600K



AMD Athlon X4 860K


Pro's and Con's

Intel Core i5-11600K – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Higher Base Clock Speed: The Intel Core i5-11600K has a higher base clock speed of 3.9 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon X4 860K's 3.7 GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
  • Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The Intel Core i5-11600K supports a higher turbo boost speed of 4.9 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon X4 860K's 4.0 GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
  • Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 3347, the Intel Core i5-11600K outperforms the AMD Athlon X4 860K (score: 1528). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
  • Larger L3 Cache: The Intel Core i5-11600K features a larger L3 cache of 12MB compared to the AMD Athlon X4 860K's MB. A larger cache improves performance in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing or 3D rendering, by reducing latency and speeding up data access.

Cons:

  • Higher Power Consumption: The Intel Core i5-11600K has a higher TDP of 125W compared to the AMD Athlon X4 860K's 95W. This means it may consume more power, leading to higher energy costs and potentially more heat generation, which could require better cooling solutions.

AMD Athlon X4 860K – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Newer Release: The AMD Athlon X4 860K was launched more recently (Q3 2014) compared to the Intel Core i5-11600K (Q2 2021). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
  • Higher CPU Mark Score: The AMD Athlon X4 860K has a higher CPU Mark score of 247.57 compared to the Intel Core i5-11600K's 131.64. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.

Cons:

  • Fewer Cores: The AMD Athlon X4 860K has 4 cores, which is fewer than the Intel Core i5-11600K's 6 cores. This could impact performance in multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, compiling code, or running virtual machines.
  • Fewer Threads: The AMD Athlon X4 860K has threads, which is fewer than the Intel Core i5-11600K's 12 threads. This may limit its ability to handle highly parallel workloads efficiently.
  • Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon X4 860K scores 3431, which is lower than the Intel Core i5-11600K's score of 19572. This makes the Intel Core i5-11600K a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.


Productivity


Intel Core i5-11600K
This cpu Handles Mid Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Mid Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.

AMD Athlon X4 860K
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.


Gaming

Intel Core i5-11600K
Ideal for Mid Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Mid Level level computing.

AMD Athlon X4 860K
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.



Verdict

Intel Core i5-11600K

The Intel Core i5-11600K is a reliable and Mid Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Mid Level computing needs or those building a New PC.

AMD Athlon X4 860K

The AMD Athlon X4 860K is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.