A4-5100
VS
Core i3-3227U

A4-5100 vs Core i3-3227U

AMD

A4-5100

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.55 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Core i3-3227U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2013

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 A4-5100 is positioned at rank 842 and the Core i3-3227U is on rank 599, so the Core i3-3227U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar A4-5100

#830
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1353%
#831
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1333%
#832
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1224%
#833
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1219%
#834
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1207%
#836
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1166%
#837
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1118%
#838
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1116%
#839
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1086%
#842
A4-5100
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#852
Pentium P6300
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
97%
#854
E-350
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
97%
#856
Ryzen Embedded R1305G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $50
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3227U

#184
Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP: $520|Avg: $520
100%
#185
Ryzen 7 5825C
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
98%
#587
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
791%
#588
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
779%
#589
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
715%
#590
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
712%
#591
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
705%
#593
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
681%
#594
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
653%
#595
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
652%
#596
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
635%
#599
Core i3-3227U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#608
Ryzen AI 5 330
MSRP: $350|Avg: $350
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-3227U leads in gaming performance. However, the A4-5100 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.2% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightA4-5100Core i3-3227U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Kabini (2013−2014) / 28 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightA4-5100Core i3-3227U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 A4-5100 and Core i3-3227U

AMD

A4-5100

The A4-5100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.55 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,301 points. Launch price was $50.

Intel

Core i3-3227U

The Core i3-3227U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,299 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

The A4-5100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3227U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A4-5100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.55 GHz on the A4-5100 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-3227U — a 20.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-3227U. The A4-5100 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-3227U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A4-5100 scores 1,301 against the Core i3-3227U's 1,299 — a 0.2% lead for the A4-5100. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 165 vs 400, a 83.2% lead for the Core i3-3227U that directly translates to higher frame rates.

FeatureA4-5100Core i3-3227U
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.55 GHz
1.9 GHz+23%
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2048 kB+700%
256K (per core)
Process
28 nm
22 nm-21%
Architecture
Kabini (2013−2014)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,301
1,299
Geekbench 6 Single
165
400+142%
Geekbench 6 Multi
900
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A4-5100 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3227U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-3227U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A4-5100) vs 2 (Core i3-3227U). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4-5100) vs 16 (Core i3-3227U) — the Core i3-3227U offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureA4-5100Core i3-3227U
Socket
FT3
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A4-5100) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3227U). Both include integrated graphics Radeon HD 8330 (A4-5100) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3227U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-5100 targets Entry Laptop, Core i3-3227U targets Legacy Ultrabook. Direct competitor: A4-5100 rivals Pentium N3540; Core i3-3227U rivals AMD A6-4455M.

FeatureA4-5100Core i3-3227U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 8330
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Entry Laptop
Legacy Ultrabook