🚀 CPU Launch

Intel Core i7-12700KF vs AMD Athlon X4 860K

Table of Contents



Overview:

Comparison between Intel Core i7-12700KF and AMD Athlon X4 860K

Intel Core i7-12700KF is manufactured by Intel, while AMD Athlon X4 860K is manufactured by AMD. AMD Athlon X4 860K has a higher base speed of 3.7 GHz compared to Intel Core i7-12700KF's GHz. AMD Athlon X4 860K has a higher turbo speed of 4.0 GHz compared to Intel Core i7-12700KF's GHz. Intel Core i7-12700KF has more cores (12) compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's 4 cores. Both CPUs support the same number of threads ().

Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop. Intel Core i7-12700KF uses the FCLGA1700 socket, while AMD Athlon X4 860K uses the FM2+ socket. Intel Core i7-12700KF was launched in Q4 2021, while AMD Athlon X4 860K was launched in Q3 2014. Intel Core i7-12700KF has a larger L3 cache of 25 MB compared to AMD Athlon X4 860K's MB.

Specification Summary

The Intel Core i7-12700KF 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 i7-12700KF has a base speed of GHz, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K runs at 3.7 GHz.
  • Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i7-12700KF supports a turbo speed of GHz, compared to 4.0 GHz for the AMD Athlon X4 860K.
  • Cores: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has 12 cores, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K has 4 cores.
  • Threads: The Intel Core i7-12700KF supports threads, compared to threads for the AMD Athlon X4 860K.
  • Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
  • Socket: The Intel Core i7-12700KF uses the FCLGA1700, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K uses the FM2+.
  • Launch Date: The Intel Core i7-12700KF was launched on Q4 2021, while the AMD Athlon X4 860K was released on Q3 2014.
  • L3 Cache: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has 25 MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon X4 860K.

Detailed Specifications:

Specs Intel Core i7-12700KF AMD Athlon X4 860K
Intel AMD
Manufacturer Intel AMD
Speed GHz 3.7 GHz
Turbo GHz 4.0 GHz
Cores 12 4
Threads
Class Desktop Desktop
Socket FCLGA1700 FM2+
Launched Q4 2021 Q3 2014
L3 Cache 25 MB MB

Review:

Single Core Performance:


CPU Performance in single-threaded applications

Intel Core i7-12700KF:



66%
AMD Athlon X4 860K:
25%
* More is Better

Multi Core Performance:


CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications

Intel Core i7-12700KF



49%
AMD Athlon X4 860K:
4%
* More is Better

Power Efficiency:


Power Consumption of CPU under full load

Intel Core i7-12700KF: 190 watts



47.5%
AMD Athlon X4 860K: 95 watts
23.75%
* Lower is Better

Launched Date:


Time when the CPU was launched


Intel Core i7-12700KF : Q4 2021 ✅

AMD Athlon X4 860K : Q3 2014 ✅

* Newer is Better

CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:

CPU Final Rating Ratings

Intel Core i7-12700KF



AMD Athlon X4 860K


Pro's and Con's

Intel Core i7-12700KF – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Newer Release: The Intel Core i7-12700KF was launched more recently (Q4 2021) compared to the AMD Athlon X4 860K (Q3 2014). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
  • Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 4006, the Intel Core i7-12700KF 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 i7-12700KF features a larger L3 cache of 25MB 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 i7-12700KF has a higher TDP of 190W 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:

  • Higher Base Clock Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 860K has a higher base clock speed of 3.7 GHz compared to the Intel Core i7-12700KF's GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
  • Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 860K supports a higher turbo boost speed of 4.0 GHz compared to the Intel Core i7-12700KF's GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
  • Higher CPU Mark Score: The AMD Athlon X4 860K has a higher CPU Mark score of 247.57 compared to the Intel Core i7-12700KF's 198.45. 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 i7-12700KF's 12 cores. This could impact performance in multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, compiling code, or running virtual machines.
  • Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon X4 860K scores 3431, which is lower than the Intel Core i7-12700KF's score of 34294. This makes the Intel Core i7-12700KF a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.


Productivity


Intel Core i7-12700KF
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 i7-12700KF
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 i7-12700KF

The Intel Core i7-12700KF 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.