A8-3850 vs Core m3-7Y30

CPU

GPU

A8-3850

4 Cores4 Thrd100 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Core m3-7Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2016

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A8-3850 vs Core m3-7Y30 Performance Spectrum

A8-3850

4 / 4

2,421

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core m3-7Y30

2 / 4

2,418

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.

A8-3850 vs Core m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30: 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: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 10) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core m3-7Y30.

Trade-offs

❌2122.2% higher power demand at 100W vs 4.5W.

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 5W instead of 100W, a 96W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-3850 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,418 vs 2,421).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while A8-3850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3850.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-3850 better than Core m3-7Y30?

Yes. A8-3850 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-3850 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A8-3850 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?

A8-3850 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. A8-3850 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-7Y30 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 4.8% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3850 vs Core m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The A8-3850 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core m3-7Y30 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the A8-3850 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 10.9% clock advantage for the A8-3850 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1 GHz). The A8-3850 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3850 scores 2,421 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 0.1% lead for the A8-3850. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 363 vs 768, a 71.6% lead for the Core m3-7Y30 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3850 vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30.

Feature	A8-3850	Core m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+190%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,421	2,418
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	363	768+112%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

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Memory & Platform

The A8-3850 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. 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 10 (Core m3-7Y30) — the A8-3850 offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75 (A8-3850) and Kaby Lake-Y SoC (Core m3-7Y30).

Feature	A8-3850	Core m3-7Y30
Socket	FM1	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+100%	10

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-3850) vs VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 6550D (A8-3850) and Intel HD Graphics 615 (Core m3-7Y30) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3850 targets Mainstream Desktop, Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable. Direct competitor: A8-3850 rivals Core i3-2105.

Feature	A8-3850	Core m3-7Y30
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon HD 6550D	Intel HD Graphics 615
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use	Mainstream Desktop	Ultra-portable