A8-5500B vs Core i5-3330S

A8-5500B vs Core i5-3330S Performance Spectrum

A8-5500B

4 / 4

3,967

+1.3%

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 i5-3330S

4 / 4

3,915

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.

A8-5500B vs Core i5-3330S 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 i5-3330S: 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: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 77W, a 12W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7560D, while Core i5-3330S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i5-3330S.

Trade-offs

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

Core i5-3330S

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-5500B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,915 vs 3,967).
❌Launch MSRP is still $231 MSRP, while A8-5500B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.5% higher power demand at 77W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-5500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-5500B better than Core i5-3330S?

Yes. A8-5500B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-5500B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% 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, A8-5500B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-5500B is still the much better call for a fresh build. A8-5500B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $231 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3330S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (16.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

A8-5500B 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.

A8-5500B vs Core i5-3330S 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 i5-3330S

The Core i5-3330S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,915 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

Both the A8-5500B and Core i5-3330S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the A8-5500B versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330S — a 14.5% 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 i5-3330S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5500B scores 3,967 against the Core i5-3330S's 3,915 — a 1.3% lead for the A8-5500B. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5500B vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S.

Feature	A8-5500B	Core i5-3330S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+16%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,967+1%	3,915

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Memory & Platform

The A8-5500B uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3330S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-5500B	Core i5-3330S
Socket	FM2	LGA1155
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A8-5500B) / not specified (Core i5-3330S). The A8-5500B includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7560D), while the Core i5-3330S requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-5500B rivals Pentium G2120.