A8-3820 vs Core i5-4200U

A8-3820 vs Core i5-4200U Performance Spectrum

A8-3820

4 / 4

2,178

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-4200U

2 / 4

2,176

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.

A8-3820 vs Core i5-4200U 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.

A8-3820 vs Core i5-4200U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-3820

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-4200U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (354 vs 733).
❌Launch MSRP is still $280 MSRP, while Core i5-4200U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4200U

2013

Why buy it

✅+107.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,176 vs 2,178).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3820.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3820 better than Core i5-4200U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4200U is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A8-3820 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A8-3820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-3820 is the better buy right now. A8-3820 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $280 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4200U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3820 vs Core i5-4200U Technical Specifications

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

A8-3820

The A8-3820 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 2,178 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i5-4200U

The Core i5-4200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,176 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The A8-3820 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4200U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3820 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the A8-3820 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4200U — a 7.4% clock advantage for the A8-3820 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The A8-3820 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4200U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3820 scores 2,178 against the Core i5-4200U's 2,176 — a 0.1% lead for the A8-3820. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 733, a 69.7% lead for the Core i5-4200U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3820 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4200U.

Feature	A8-3820	Core i5-4200U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,178	2,176
Geekbench 6 Single	354	733+107%

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3820 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4200U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the A8-3820 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4200U — the A8-3820 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-3820 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3820) vs 12 (Core i5-4200U) — the A8-3820 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75 (A8-3820) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4200U).

Feature	A8-3820	Core i5-4200U
Socket	FM1	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+17%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3820) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4200U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6550D (A8-3820) and HD Graphics 4400 (Core i5-4200U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3820 targets Budget Desktop, Core i5-4200U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3820 rivals Core i3-2120; Core i5-4200U rivals A6-5350M.

Feature	A8-3820	Core i5-4200U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6550D	HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Thin & Light Laptop