A8-5500B vs Core i3-7130U

A8-5500B vs Core i3-7130U Performance Spectrum

A8-5500B

4 / 4

3,967

0.0%

Athlon II X4 630

Athlon X4 740

Athlon X4 830

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

Ryzen 7 6800H

Ryzen 7 8840HX

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-7130U

2 / 4

4,055

+2.2%

Core i7-940XM

Celeron G4950

Pentium Gold G5400T

Pentium Dual Core T3200

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.

A8-5500B vs Core i3-7130U 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.

A8-5500B vs Core i3-7130U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5500B

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i3-7130U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,967 vs 4,055).
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i3-7130U

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-5500B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-5500B.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7130U better than A8-5500B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-5500B is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7130U pulls ahead with 2.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-7130U is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-7130U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-7130U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 2.2% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-7130U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 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.

A8-5500B vs Core i3-7130U Technical Specifications

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

A8-5500B

The A8-5500B 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: 3,967 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i3-7130U

The Core i3-7130U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-U (2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 4,055 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-5500B packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-7130U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5500B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A8-5500B versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i3-7130U — a 31.3% clock advantage for the A8-5500B (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The A8-5500B uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-7130U uses Kaby Lake-U (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5500B scores 3,967 against the Core i3-7130U's 4,055 — a 2.2% lead for the Core i3-7130U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5500B vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7130U.

Feature	A8-5500B	Core i3-7130U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+37%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 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)	Kaby Lake-U (2017)
PassMark	3,967	4,055+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	900

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-5500B uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-7130U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1866 on the A8-5500B versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7130U — the Core i3-7130U supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-5500B supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A8-5500B) vs 12 (Core i3-7130U) — the A8-5500B offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-5500B	Core i3-7130U
Socket	FM2	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1866	DDR4-2133+14%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (A8-5500B) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7130U). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 7560D (A8-5500B) and HD Graphics 620 (Core i3-7130U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7130U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-5500B rivals Pentium G2120; Core i3-7130U rivals Ryzen 3 3250U.