A8-3520M vs Celeron 5205U

A8-3520M vs Celeron 5205U Performance Spectrum

A8-3520M

4 / 4

1,441

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron 5205U

2 / 2

1,432

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.

A8-3520M vs Celeron 5205U 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 5205U: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅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 385).
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Celeron 5205U

2019

Why buy it

✅+51% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,432 vs 1,441).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 5205U better than A8-3520M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron 5205U is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A8-3520M pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A8-3520M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron 5205U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 5205U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Celeron 5205U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3520M vs Celeron 5205U 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 5205U

The Celeron 5205U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,432 points. Launch price was $107.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-3520M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron 5205U offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3520M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A8-3520M versus 1.9 GHz on the Celeron 5205U — a 27.3% clock advantage for the A8-3520M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The A8-3520M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 5205U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3520M scores 1,441 against the Celeron 5205U's 1,432 — a 0.6% lead for the A8-3520M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 255 vs 385, a 40.6% lead for the Celeron 5205U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3520M vs 2 MB on the Celeron 5205U.

Feature	A8-3520M	Celeron 5205U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+32%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.9 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,441	1,432
Geekbench 6 Single	255	385+51%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	650

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-3520M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 5205U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the A8-3520M versus DDR4-2400 on the Celeron 5205U — the Celeron 5205U supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 5205U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3520M) vs 12 (Celeron 5205U) — the A8-3520M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-3520M	Celeron 5205U
Socket	FS1	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2400+80%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3520M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 5205U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3520M) and UHD Graphics (Comet Lake) (Celeron 5205U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3520M targets Budget Laptop, Celeron 5205U targets Budget. Direct competitor: A8-3520M rivals Core i3-2330M; Celeron 5205U rivals Pentium Gold 6405U.

Feature	A8-3520M	Celeron 5205U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6620G	UHD Graphics (Comet Lake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget Laptop	Budget