A8-3800 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100

CPU

GPU

A8-3800

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Core 2 Extreme X9100

2 Cores2 Thrd44 WWMax: 0.07 GHz2008

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A8-3800 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100 Performance Spectrum

A8-3800

4 / 4

2,051

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Extreme X9100

2 / 2

2,063

+0.6%

Celeron E3300

Core Duo T2300

Pentium Dual Core T2370

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.

A8-3800 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100 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.

A8-3800 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A8-3800

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $721 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $851 MSRP).
✅Delivers 550.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.8 vs 2.4 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $851 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6550D, while Core 2 Extreme X9100 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core 2 Extreme X9100.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,051 vs 2,063).
❌47.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 44W.

Core 2 Extreme X9100

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 44W instead of 65W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.4 vs 15.8 PassMark/$ ($851 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3800 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3800.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3800 better than Core 2 Extreme X9100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3800 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Extreme X9100 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Extreme X9100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A8-3800 is the better buy right now. A8-3800 comes in $721 cheaper on MSRP at $130 MSRP versus $851 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Extreme X9100 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 550.8% better value on MSRP (15.8 vs 2.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A8-3800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3800 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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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	—

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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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the A8-3800 was priced at $130, while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 came in at $851. On launch pricing ($130 vs $851), A8-3800 was $721 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A8-3800 delivers 15.8 pts/$ vs 2.4 pts/$ for the Core 2 Extreme X9100 — making the A8-3800 the 146.7% better value option.

Feature	A8-3800	Core 2 Extreme X9100
MSRP	$130-85%	$851
Performance per Dollar	15.8+558%	2.4
Release Date	2011	2008

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