A8-3850 vs Core i7-2620M

CPU

GPU

A8-3850

4 Cores4 Thrd100 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Core i7-2620M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011

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A8-3850 vs Core i7-2620M Performance Spectrum

A8-3850

4 / 4

2,421

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-2620M

2 / 4

2,424

+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.

A8-3850 vs Core i7-2620M 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.

A8-3850 vs Core i7-2620M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-3850

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-2620M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,421 vs 2,424).
❌185.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 35W.

Core i7-2620M

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 100W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-3850 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $346 MSRP, while A8-3850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3850.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2620M better than A8-3850?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3850 is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2620M 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 i7-2620M 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?

Core i7-2620M is the better buy right now. Core i7-2620M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $346 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-3850 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-2620M is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

A8-3850 vs Core i7-2620M Technical Specifications

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

A8-3850

The A8-3850 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,421 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i7-2620M

The Core i7-2620M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,424 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The A8-3850 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2620M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the A8-3850 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2620M — a 15.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-2620M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The A8-3850 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-2620M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3850 scores 2,421 against the Core i7-2620M's 2,424 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2620M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 363 vs 509, a 33.5% lead for the Core i7-2620M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3850 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2620M.

Feature	A8-3850	Core i7-2620M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.4 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+7%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,421	2,424
Geekbench 6 Single	363	509+40%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,222

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3850 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2620M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the A8-3850 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2620M — the A8-3850 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-3850 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 (A8-3850) vs 16 (Core i7-2620M) — the A8-3850 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75 (A8-3850) and HM65,QM67,HM67,QS67 (Core i7-2620M).

Feature	A8-3850	Core i7-2620M
Socket	FM1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3850) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2620M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6550D (A8-3850) and HD 3000 (Core i7-2620M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3850 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core i7-2620M targets Budget. Direct competitor: A8-3850 rivals Core i3-2105; Core i7-2620M rivals Core i5-2410M.