A8-3500M
VS
Core 2 Duo SU9300

A8-3500M vs Core 2 Duo SU9300

AMD

A8-3500M

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo SU9300

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2008

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 A8-3500M is positioned at rank 821 and the Core 2 Duo SU9300 is on rank 143, so the Core 2 Duo SU9300 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 A8-3500M

#809
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1266%
#810
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1247%
#811
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1145%
#812
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1140%
#813
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1129%
#815
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1091%
#816
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1046%
#817
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1044%
#818
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1016%
#821
A8-3500M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#824
Celeron Dual-Core T3000
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
97%
#825
Pentium P6100
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16.39
97%
#827
Celeron M 575
MSRP: $86|Avg: $12
96%
#829
Core i7-10710U
MSRP: $415|Avg: N/A
96%
#835
FX-9830P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
95%
#836
Celeron M P4600
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SU9300

#36
Core i5-11500B
MSRP: $185|Avg: $185
99%
#131
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
316%
#132
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
312%
#133
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
286%
#134
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
285%
#135
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
282%
#137
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
272%
#138
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
261%
#139
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
261%
#140
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
254%
#143
Core 2 Duo SU9300
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#147
Atom N2800
MSRP: $47|Avg: $3
99%
#158
Core i5-3210M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The A8-3500M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo SU9300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightA8-3500MCore 2 Duo SU9300
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightA8-3500MCore 2 Duo SU9300
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 A8-3500M and Core 2 Duo SU9300

AMD

A8-3500M

The A8-3500M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,391 points. Launch price was $90.

Intel

Core 2 Duo SU9300

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,392 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

The A8-3500M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SU9300 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3500M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A8-3500M versus 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the A8-3500M (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The A8-3500M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3500M scores 1,391 against the Core 2 Duo SU9300's 1,392 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU9300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3500M vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9300.

FeatureA8-3500MCore 2 Duo SU9300
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz+100%
1.2 GHz
Base Clock
1.5 GHz+25%
1.2 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
3 MB+200%
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Llano (2011−2012)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
1,391
1,392
Geekbench 6 Single
231
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-3500M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureA8-3500MCore 2 Duo SU9300
Socket
FS1
BGA956
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3500M) / not specified (Core 2 Duo SU9300). The A8-3500M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Core 2 Duo SU9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3500M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3500M rivals Core i3-2310M.

FeatureA8-3500MCore 2 Duo SU9300
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 6620G
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Laptop