A8-3530MX vs Core i5-2557M
A8-3530MX
Core i5-2557M
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 A8-3530MX is positioned at rank 763 and the Core i5-2557M is on rank 36, so the Core i5-2557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3530MX
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3530MX | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3530MX | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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 A8-3530MX and Core i5-2557M
A8-3530MX
The A8-3530MX 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,608 points. Launch price was $90.
Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The A8-3530MX packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2557M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3530MX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the A8-3530MX versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M (base: 1.9 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A8-3530MX uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3530MX scores 1,608 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2557M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 278 vs 521, a 60.8% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3530MX vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.
| Feature | A8-3530MX | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.7 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz+12% | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,608 | 1,618 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 278 | 521+87% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 882 |
Memory & Platform
The A8-3530MX uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The A8-3530MX supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3530MX) vs 16 (Core i5-2557M) — the A8-3530MX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | A8-3530MX | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FS1 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20+25% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3530MX) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3530MX) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3530MX targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: A8-3530MX rivals Core i5-2430M; Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | A8-3530MX | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6620G | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Budget |
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