A8-3520M vs Pentium M 740

A8-3520M vs Pentium M 740 Performance Spectrum

A8-3520M

4 / 4

1,441

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium M 740

1 / 1

1,435

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 Pentium M 740 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 Pentium M 740: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6620G, while Pentium M 740 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌29.6% higher power demand at 35W vs 27W.

Pentium M 740

2005

Why buy it

✅Draws 27W instead of 35W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,435 vs 1,441).
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3520M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3520M better than Pentium M 740?

Yes. A8-3520M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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, A8-3520M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% 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, A8-3520M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-3520M still makes the most sense overall. A8-3520M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

A8-3520M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-3520M vs Pentium M 740 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.

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.

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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.

Feature	A8-3520M	Pentium 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	—

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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.

Feature	A8-3520M	Pentium 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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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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.