A6 Micro-6500T vs Pentium 977

AMD

A6 Micro-6500T

4 Cores4 Thrd5 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium 977

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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A6 Micro-6500T vs Pentium 977 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.

A6 Micro-6500T vs Pentium 977 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.

A6 Micro-6500T vs Pentium 977: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6 Micro-6500T

2014

Why buy it

  • Costs $34 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Delivers 33.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.5 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Draws 5W instead of 17W, a 12W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon R4, while Pentium 977 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,146 vs 1,148).

Pentium 977

2012

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 11.5 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • 240% higher power demand at 17W vs 5W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A6 Micro-6500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6 Micro-6500T better than Pentium 977?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A6 Micro-6500T 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, Pentium 977 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 977 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
A6 Micro-6500T is the better buy right now. A6 Micro-6500T comes in $34 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium 977 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 33.8% better value on MSRP (11.5 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A6 Micro-6500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6 Micro-6500T vs Pentium 977 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A6 Micro-6500T

The A6 Micro-6500T is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Mullins (2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,146 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Pentium 977

The Pentium 977 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 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: 1,148 points. Launch price was $134.

Processing Power

The A6 Micro-6500T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 977 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6 Micro-6500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the A6 Micro-6500T versus 1.4 GHz on the Pentium 977 — a 25% clock advantage for the A6 Micro-6500T (base: 1.2 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The A6 Micro-6500T uses the Mullins (2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Pentium 977 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6 Micro-6500T scores 1,146 against the Pentium 977's 1,148 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium 977.

FeatureA6 Micro-6500TPentium 977
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.8 GHz+29%
1.4 GHz
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
1.4 GHz+17%
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB (total)
256K (per core)+12700%
Process
28 nm-13%
32 nm
Architecture
Mullins (2014)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,146
1,148
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A6 Micro-6500T uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 977 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureA6 Micro-6500TPentium 977
Socket
FT3
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
1
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
8
🔧

Advanced Features

The A6 Micro-6500T includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon R4), while the Pentium 977 requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureA6 Micro-6500TPentium 977
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
AMD Radeon R4
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A6 Micro-6500T was priced at $100, while the Pentium 977 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($100 vs $134), A6 Micro-6500T was $34 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A6 Micro-6500T delivers 11.5 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Pentium 977 — making the A6 Micro-6500T the 28.9% better value option.

FeatureA6 Micro-6500TPentium 977
MSRP
$100-25%
$134
Performance per Dollar
11.5+34%
8.6
Release Date
2014
2012

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