A8-5500 vs Core i3-5157U

A8-5500 vs Core i3-5157U Performance Spectrum

A8-5500

4 / 4

2,615

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-5157U

2 / 4

2,593

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.

A8-5500 vs Core i3-5157U 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.

A8-5500 vs Core i3-5157U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5500

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i3-5157U.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-5157U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,593 vs 2,615).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-5500.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-5500 better than Core i3-5157U?

Yes. A8-5500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-5500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% 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, A8-5500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-5500 still makes the most sense overall. A8-5500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-5157U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-5500 vs Core i3-5157U Technical Specifications

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

A8-5500

The A8-5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,615 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i3-5157U

The Core i3-5157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,593 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

The A8-5500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-5157U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A8-5500 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U — a 38.7% clock advantage for the A8-5500 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A8-5500 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-5157U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5500 scores 2,615 against the Core i3-5157U's 2,593 — a 0.8% lead for the A8-5500. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U.

Feature	A8-5500	Core i3-5157U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,615	2,593
Geekbench 6 Single	—	793

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Memory & Platform

The A8-5500 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-5157U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1866 memory speed. The A8-5500 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A8-5500) vs 12 (Core i3-5157U) — the A8-5500 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-5500	Core i3-5157U
Socket	FM2	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1866	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (A8-5500) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 7560D (A8-5500) and Iris Graphics 6100 (Core i3-5157U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-5500 rivals Pentium G2120; Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.