A8-3820 vs Core m3-6Y30

A8-3820 vs Core m3-6Y30 Performance Spectrum

A8-3820

4 / 4

2,178

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core m3-6Y30

2 / 4

2,180

+0.1%

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 m3-6Y30 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 m3-6Y30: 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

✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($280 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6550D, while Core m3-6Y30 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core m3-6Y30.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,178 vs 2,180).

Core m3-6Y30

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌
0.4% HIGHER MSRP
$281 MSRPvs$280 MSRP
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3820 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3820.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3820 better than Core m3-6Y30?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3820 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-6Y30 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, Core m3-6Y30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 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 $1 cheaper on MSRP at $280 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core m3-6Y30 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 0.3% better value on MSRP (7.8 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), 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 m3-6Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-3820 vs Core m3-6Y30 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 m3-6Y30

The Core m3-6Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-3820 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core m3-6Y30 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3820 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the A8-3820 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 — a 24% clock advantage for the A8-3820 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 0.9 GHz). The A8-3820 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3820 scores 2,178 against the Core m3-6Y30's 2,180 — a 0.1% lead for the Core m3-6Y30. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3820 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m3-6Y30.

Feature	A8-3820	Core m3-6Y30
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+27%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+178%	0.9 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,178	2,180
Geekbench 6 Single	354	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-3820 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-3820	Core m3-6Y30
Socket	FM1	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3820) / not specified (Core m3-6Y30). The A8-3820 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Core m3-6Y30 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3820 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3820 rivals Core i3-2120.

Feature	A8-3820	Core m3-6Y30
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6550D	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Budget Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A8-3820 was priced at $280, while the Core m3-6Y30 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($280 vs $281), A8-3820 was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A8-3820 delivers 7.8 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core m3-6Y30 — making the A8-3820 the 0.3% better value option.

Feature	A8-3820	Core m3-6Y30
MSRP	$280	$281
Performance per Dollar	7.8	7.8
Release Date	2011	2015

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