A4-6250J vs Core i5-2557M

A4-6250J vs Core i5-2557M Performance Spectrum

A4-6250J

4 / 4

1,619

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2557M

2 / 4

1,618

0.0%

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.

A4-6250J vs Core i5-2557M 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.

A4-6250J vs Core i5-2557M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-6250J

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (208 vs 521).
❌47.1% higher power demand at 25W vs 17W.

Core i5-2557M

2011

Why buy it

✅+150.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 17W instead of 25W, a 8W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,618 vs 1,619).

Quick Answers

So, is A4-6250J better than Core i5-2557M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2557M is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A4-6250J pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-6250J is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A4-6250J still makes the most sense overall. A4-6250J comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A4-6250J makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-6250J vs Core i5-2557M Technical Specifications

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

A4-6250J

The A4-6250J 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: 2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,619 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i5-2557M

The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The A4-6250J packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2557M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A4-6250J has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the A4-6250J versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 29.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M. The A4-6250J uses the Beema (2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A4-6250J scores 1,619 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.1% lead for the A4-6250J. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 208 vs 521, a 85.9% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates.

Feature	A4-6250J	Core i5-2557M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.7 GHz+35%
Base Clock	—	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Beema (2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,619	1,618
Geekbench 6 Single	208	521+150%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	882

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Memory & Platform

The A4-6250J uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A4-6250J versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2557M — the A4-6250J supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A4-6250J supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A4-6250J) vs 2 (Core i5-2557M). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4-6250J) vs 16 (Core i5-2557M) — the Core i5-2557M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A4-6250J	Core i5-2557M
Socket	FT3	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A4-6250J) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R3 (A4-6250J) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-6250J targets Entry Desktop, Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: A4-6250J rivals Pentium J2900; Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.