A8-3500M vs Core 2 Duo SU9300

A8-3500M vs Core 2 Duo SU9300 Performance Spectrum

A8-3500M

4 / 4

1,391

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo SU9300

2 / 2

1,392

+0.1%

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.

A8-3500M vs Core 2 Duo SU9300 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.

A8-3500M vs Core 2 Duo SU9300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-3500M

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6620G, while Core 2 Duo SU9300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,391 vs 1,392).
❌1066.7% higher power demand at 35W vs 3W.

Core 2 Duo SU9300

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 35W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3500M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo SU9300 better than A8-3500M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3500M is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9300 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, Core 2 Duo SU9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo SU9300 still makes the most sense overall. Core 2 Duo SU9300 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?

A8-3500M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3500M vs Core 2 Duo SU9300 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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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.

Feature	A8-3500M	Core 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	—

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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.

Feature	A8-3500M	Core 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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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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.