A8-3520M vs Celeron 3955U

A8-3520M vs Celeron 3955U Performance Spectrum

A8-3520M

4 / 4

1,441

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron 3955U

2 / 2

1,443

+0.1%

Celeron 877

Celeron P4600

Xeon W3503

Pentium Dual Core T4400

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.

A8-3520M vs Celeron 3955U 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.

A8-3520M vs Celeron 3955U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-3520M

2011

Why buy it

✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (255 vs 431).
❌Lower PassMark (1,441 vs 1,443).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Celeron 3955U

2015

Why buy it

✅+69% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 3955U better than A8-3520M?

Yes. Celeron 3955U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% 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, Celeron 3955U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% 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, Celeron 3955U 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?

Celeron 3955U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 3955U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron 3955U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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.

A8-3520M vs Celeron 3955U Technical Specifications

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

A8-3520M

The A8-3520M 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 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,441 points. Launch price was $90.

Celeron 3955U

The Celeron 3955U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,443 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

The A8-3520M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron 3955U offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3520M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A8-3520M versus 2 GHz on the Celeron 3955U — a 22.2% clock advantage for the A8-3520M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The A8-3520M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 3955U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3520M scores 1,441 against the Celeron 3955U's 1,443 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron 3955U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 255 vs 431, a 51.3% lead for the Celeron 3955U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3520M vs 2 MB on the Celeron 3955U.

Feature	A8-3520M	Celeron 3955U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+25%	2 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,441	1,443
Geekbench 6 Single	255	431+69%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	741

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3520M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 3955U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the A8-3520M versus DDR4-2133 on the Celeron 3955U — the Celeron 3955U supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 3955U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3520M) vs 12 (Celeron 3955U) — the A8-3520M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-3520M	Celeron 3955U
Socket	FS1	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2133+60%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3520M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3955U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3520M) and HD Graphics 510 (Celeron 3955U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3520M targets Budget Laptop, Celeron 3955U targets Budget. Direct competitor: A8-3520M rivals Core i3-2330M; Celeron 3955U rivals Pentium 3825U.