A8-5545M vs Core i5-2557M

A8-5545M vs Core i5-2557M Performance Spectrum

A8-5545M

4 / 4

1,628

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2557M

2 / 4

1,618

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.

A8-5545M vs Core i5-2557M 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.

A8-5545M vs Core i5-2557M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5545M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (786 vs 882).
❌47.1% higher power demand at 25W vs 17W.

Core i5-2557M

2011

Why buy it

✅+12.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 17W instead of 25W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-5545M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-5545M better than Core i5-2557M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-5545M is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2557M pulls ahead with 12.2% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2557M is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-5545M still makes the most sense overall. A8-5545M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

A8-5545M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-5545M vs Core i5-2557M Technical Specifications

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

A8-5545M

The A8-5545M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FP2. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,628 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i5-2557M

The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The A8-5545M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2557M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5545M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the A8-5545M versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The A8-5545M uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5545M scores 1,628 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.6% lead for the A8-5545M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 288 vs 521, a 57.6% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 786 vs 882 (11.5% advantage for the Core i5-2557M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5545M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.

Feature	A8-5545M	Core i5-2557M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,628	1,618
Geekbench 6 Single	288	521+81%
Geekbench 6 Multi	786	882+12%

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Memory & Platform

The A8-5545M uses the FP2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The A8-5545M supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A8-5545M) and HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M).

Feature	A8-5545M	Core i5-2557M
Socket	FP2	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-5545M) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 8510G (A8-5545M) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-5545M targets Legacy Laptop, Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: A8-5545M rivals Core i3-4000M; Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.