A4-6210 vs Pentium 987

AMD

A4-6210

4 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium 987

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013
Similar parts
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A4-6210 vs Pentium 987 Performance Spectrum

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.

A4-6210 vs Pentium 987 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A4-6210 vs Pentium 987: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-6210

2014

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 17W, a 2W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3, while Pentium 987 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,487 vs 1,499).
    • Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while A4-6210 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • No integrated graphics, while A4-6210 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is A4-6210 better than Pentium 987?
    Yes. A4-6210 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, A4-6210 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-6210 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    A4-6210 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. A4-6210 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 987 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 2.2% in the shared gaming data.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    A4-6210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    A4-6210 vs Pentium 987 Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    AMD

    A4-6210

    The A4-6210 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Beema (2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1599. Passmark benchmark score: 1,499 points. Launch price was $50.

    Intel

    Pentium 987

    The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

    Processing Power

    The A4-6210 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 987 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A4-6210 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the A4-6210 versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the A4-6210. The A4-6210 uses the Beema (2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A4-6210 scores 1,499 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 0.8% lead for the A4-6210.

    FeatureA4-6210Pentium 987
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 4+100%
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    1.8 GHz+20%
    1.5 GHz
    Base Clock
    1.5 GHz
    L3 Cache
    2 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    2048 kB+700%
    256K (per core)
    Process
    28 nm-13%
    32 nm
    Architecture
    Beema (2014)
    Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
    PassMark
    1,499
    1,487
    Geekbench 6 Single
    198
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The A4-6210 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureA4-6210Pentium 987
    Socket
    FT3
    BGA1023
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0+50%
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3L-1600
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    RAM Channels
    1
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    8
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-6210) / not specified (Pentium 987). The A4-6210 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3), while the Pentium 987 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-6210 targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: A4-6210 rivals Pentium N3700.

    FeatureA4-6210Pentium 987
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Radeon R3
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Entry Laptop