A8-3870K vs Core i7-3517UE
A8-3870K
Core i7-3517UE
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A8-3870K is positioned at rank 502 and the Core i7-3517UE is on rank 1154, so the A8-3870K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3870K
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3517UE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3870K | Core i7-3517UE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3870K | Core i7-3517UE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A8-3870K and Core i7-3517UE
A8-3870K
The A8-3870K 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,360 points. Launch price was $90.
Core i7-3517UE
The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The A8-3870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3517UE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3870K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A8-3870K versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE — a 6.9% clock advantage for the A8-3870K (base: 3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A8-3870K uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3517UE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3870K scores 2,360 against the Core i7-3517UE's 2,384 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-3517UE. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3870K vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Core i7-3517UE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+7% | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+76% | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,360 | 2,384+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 380 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A8-3870K uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3517UE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Core i7-3517UE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3870K) / not specified (Core i7-3517UE). The A8-3870K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Core i7-3517UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3870K targets Budget Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3870K rivals Core i3-2125.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Core i7-3517UE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6550D | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Gaming Desktop | — |
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