A8-5500 vs Core i3-6100U

A8-5500 vs Core i3-6100U Performance Spectrum

A8-5500

4 / 4

2,615

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-6100U

2 / 4

2,631

+0.6%

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 i3-6100U 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 i3-6100U: 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.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7560D, while Core i3-6100U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i3-6100U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,615 vs 2,631).

Core i3-6100U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-5500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-5500.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6100U better than A8-5500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-5500 is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-6100U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-6100U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-6100U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-6100U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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.

A8-5500 vs Core i3-6100U 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 i3-6100U

The Core i3-6100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,631 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The A8-5500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-6100U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A8-5500 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-6100U — a 46.7% clock advantage for the A8-5500 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A8-5500 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-6100U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5500 scores 2,615 against the Core i3-6100U's 2,631 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-6100U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5500 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6100U.

Feature	A8-5500	Core i3-6100U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+61%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+39%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,615	2,631

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Memory & Platform

The A8-5500 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-6100U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-5500	Core i3-6100U
Socket	FM2	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-5500) / not specified (Core i3-6100U). The A8-5500 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7560D), while the Core i3-6100U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-5500 rivals Pentium G2120.