A8-3500M vs Pentium Silver A1030

A8-3500M vs Pentium Silver A1030 Performance Spectrum

A8-3500M

4 / 4

1,391

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium Silver A1030

2 / 2

1,380

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 Pentium Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030: 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: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6620G, while Pentium Silver A1030 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Pentium Silver A1030

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-3500M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,380 vs 1,391).
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3500M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3500M better than Pentium Silver A1030?

Yes. A8-3500M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% 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 4.9% 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 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-3500M still makes the most sense overall. A8-3500M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Silver A1030 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3500M vs Pentium Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030

The Pentium Silver A1030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: upto-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 1,380 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A8-3500M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver A1030 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3500M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A8-3500M versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver A1030 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver A1030 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The A8-3500M is built on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. In PassMark, the A8-3500M scores 1,391 against the Pentium Silver A1030's 1,380 — a 0.8% lead for the A8-3500M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3500M vs 4 MB on the Pentium Silver A1030.

Feature	A8-3500M	Pentium Silver A1030
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.7 GHz+13%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	—
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	—
PassMark	1,391	1,380
Geekbench 6 Single	231	—

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3500M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Silver A1030 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-3500M	Pentium Silver A1030
Socket	FS1	FCBGA1090
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 Silver A1030). The A8-3500M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Pentium Silver A1030 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3500M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3500M rivals Core i3-2310M.