A8-3850 vs Xeon E5606

A8-3850 vs Xeon E5606 Performance Spectrum

A8-3850

4 / 4

2,421

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5606

4 / 4

2,443

+0.9%

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 Xeon E5606 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 Xeon E5606: 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: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6550D, while Xeon E5606 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5606.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,421 vs 2,443).
❌25% higher power demand at 100W vs 80W.

Xeon E5606

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 80W instead of 100W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-3850 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3850 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-3850.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5606 better than A8-3850?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5606 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while A8-3850 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5606 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E5606 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5606 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

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

Xeon E5606 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 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.

A8-3850 vs Xeon E5606 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.

Xeon E5606

The Xeon E5606 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,443 points. Launch price was $46.

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Processing Power

Both the A8-3850 and Xeon E5606 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the A8-3850 versus 0.13 GHz on the Xeon E5606 — a 182.8% clock advantage for the A8-3850 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The A8-3850 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5606 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3850 scores 2,421 against the Xeon E5606's 2,443 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5606. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3850 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E5606.

Feature	A8-3850	Xeon E5606
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+2131%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+36%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,421	2,443
Geekbench 6 Single	363	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-3850 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5606 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-3850	Xeon E5606
Socket	FM1	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3850) / not specified (Xeon E5606). The A8-3850 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Xeon E5606 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3850 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3850 rivals Core i3-2105.