A8-3520M
VS
Pentium M 740

A8-3520M vs Pentium M 740

AMD

A8-3520M

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Pentium M 740

1 Cores1 Thrd27 WWMax: 1.73 GHz2005

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A8-3520M is positioned at rank 806 and the Pentium M 740 is on rank 719, so the Pentium M 740 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar A8-3520M

#794
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1221%
#795
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1204%
#796
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1105%
#797
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1100%
#798
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1090%
#800
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1052%
#801
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1009%
#802
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1007%
#803
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
980%
#806
A8-3520M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#809
Athlon II M320
MSRP: $75|Avg: $15
100%
#810
Celeron B800
MSRP: $80|Avg: $5
99%
#811
Celeron B710
MSRP: $86|Avg: $10
99%
#812
Athlon II Neo K345
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
99%
#818
Core i7-8709G
MSRP: $338|Avg: $150
98%
#819
Celeron M 560
MSRP: $86|Avg: $10
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium M 740

#707
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1022%
#708
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1007%
#709
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
925%
#710
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
921%
#711
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
912%
#713
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
881%
#714
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
845%
#715
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
843%
#716
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
821%
#719
Pentium M 740
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The A8-3520M (2011) utilizes 32 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightA8-3520MPentium M 740
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Dothan (2004−2005) / 90 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium M 740 (2005) relies on 90 nm technology and DDR2, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightA8-3520MPentium M 740
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A8-3520M and Pentium M 740

AMD

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.

Intel

Pentium M 740

The Pentium M 740 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 1.73 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 27 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,435 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The A8-3520M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium M 740 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the A8-3520M has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A8-3520M versus 1.73 GHz on the Pentium M 740 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the A8-3520M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The A8-3520M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium M 740 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3520M scores 1,441 against the Pentium M 740's 1,435 — a 0.4% lead for the A8-3520M. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureA8-3520MPentium M 740
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+300%
1 / 1
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz+45%
1.73 GHz
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
1.73 GHz+8%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
2 MB+100%
Process
32 nm-64%
90 nm
Architecture
Llano (2011−2012)
Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark
1,441
1,435
Geekbench 6 Single
255
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-3520M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium M 740 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureA8-3520MPentium M 740
Socket
FS1
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3520M) / not specified (Pentium M 740). The A8-3520M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Pentium M 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3520M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3520M rivals Core i3-2330M.

FeatureA8-3520MPentium M 740
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 6620G
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Laptop