A8-3500M vs Core i3-2370M

A8-3500M vs Core i3-2370M Performance Spectrum

A8-3500M

4 / 4

1,391

+1.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-2370M

2 / 4

1,370

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.

A8-3500M vs Core i3-2370M 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 i3-2370M: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

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

Core i3-2370M

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-3500M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,370 vs 1,391).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while A8-3500M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3500M better than Core i3-2370M?

Yes. A8-3500M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-3500M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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, A8-3500M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-3500M is still the much better call for a fresh build. A8-3500M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2370M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Core i3-2370M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3500M vs Core i3-2370M 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 i3-2370M

The Core i3-2370M 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,370 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The A8-3500M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-2370M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3500M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A8-3500M versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-2370M — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A8-3500M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-2370M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3500M scores 1,391 against the Core i3-2370M's 1,370 — a 1.5% lead for the A8-3500M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 231 vs 412, a 56.3% lead for the Core i3-2370M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3500M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2370M.

Feature	A8-3500M	Core i3-2370M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.4 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,391+2%	1,370
Geekbench 6 Single	231	412+78%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	711

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3500M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2370M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3500M) vs 16 (Core i3-2370M) — the A8-3500M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-3500M	Core i3-2370M
Socket	FS1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3500M) vs VT-x (Core i3-2370M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3500M) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2370M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3500M targets Budget Laptop, Core i3-2370M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3500M rivals Core i3-2310M.