A8-3520M vs Core i3-4020Y

A8-3520M vs Core i3-4020Y Performance Spectrum

A8-3520M

4 / 4

1,441

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4020Y

2 / 4

1,448

+0.5%

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 Core i3-4020Y 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 Core i3-4020Y: 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

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,441 vs 1,448).

Core i3-4020Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4020Y better than A8-3520M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3520M is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4020Y pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4020Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4020Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4020Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-4020Y 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 / 4 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 Core i3-4020Y 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.

Core i3-4020Y

The Core i3-4020Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,448 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The A8-3520M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4020Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3520M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A8-3520M versus 1.5 GHz on the Core i3-4020Y — a 50% clock advantage for the A8-3520M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A8-3520M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4020Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3520M scores 1,441 against the Core i3-4020Y's 1,448 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-4020Y. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3520M vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4020Y.

Feature	A8-3520M	Core i3-4020Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+67%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+7%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,441	1,448
Geekbench 6 Single	255	—

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3520M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4020Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the A8-3520M versus 1600 on the Core i3-4020Y — the Core i3-4020Y supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3520M) vs 12 (Core i3-4020Y) — the A8-3520M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-3520M	Core i3-4020Y
Socket	FS1	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3520M) vs true (Core i3-4020Y). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3520M) and Intel HD Graphics 4200 (Core i3-4020Y) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3520M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3520M rivals Core i3-2330M.