A8-3500M vs Pentium 2030M

A8-3500M vs Pentium 2030M Performance Spectrum

A8-3500M

4 / 4

1,391

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium 2030M

2 / 2

1,396

+0.4%

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 Pentium 2030M 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 Pentium 2030M: 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

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6620G, while Pentium 2030M needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,391 vs 1,396).

Pentium 2030M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while A8-3500M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3500M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 2030M better than A8-3500M?

Yes. Pentium 2030M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 2030M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.4% 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, Pentium 2030M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 2030M is the better buy right now. Pentium 2030M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 2030M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-3500M vs Pentium 2030M 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.

Pentium 2030M

The Pentium 2030M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,396 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The A8-3500M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 2030M offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3500M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A8-3500M versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Pentium 2030M (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A8-3500M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 2030M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3500M scores 1,391 against the Pentium 2030M's 1,396 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium 2030M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3500M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M.

Feature	A8-3500M	Pentium 2030M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.5 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,391	1,396
Geekbench 6 Single	231	—

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3500M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 2030M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-3500M	Pentium 2030M
Socket	FS1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 (Pentium 2030M). The A8-3500M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Pentium 2030M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3500M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3500M rivals Core i3-2310M.