A8-3800 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100
A8-3800
Core 2 Extreme X9100
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 A8-3800 is positioned at rank 886 and the Core 2 Extreme X9100 is on rank 277, so the Core 2 Extreme X9100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3800
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme X9100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3800 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($851) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn XE (2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3800 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2015%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($851) |
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 A8-3800 and Core 2 Extreme X9100
A8-3800
The A8-3800 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,051 points. Launch price was $90.
Core 2 Extreme X9100
The Core 2 Extreme X9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn XE (2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,063 points. Launch price was $851.
Processing Power
The A8-3800 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3800 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the A8-3800 versus 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X9100 — a 189.9% clock advantage for the A8-3800 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The A8-3800 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses Penryn XE (2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3800 scores 2,051 against the Core 2 Extreme X9100's 2,063 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Extreme X9100. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | A8-3800 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+3757% | 0.07 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.06 GHz+28% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 6 MB+500% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Penryn XE (2008) |
| PassMark | 2,051 | 2,063 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 370 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,350 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A8-3800 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-3800 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3800) / not specified (Core 2 Extreme X9100). The A8-3800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3800 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3800 rivals Core i3-2100.
| Feature | A8-3800 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6550D | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The A8-3800 launched at $130 MSRP, while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 debuted at $851.
| Feature | A8-3800 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $130-85% | $851 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | — |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2008 |
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