A8-5557M vs Core i3-4100E

A8-5557M vs Core i3-4100E Performance Spectrum

A8-5557M

4 / 4

1,831

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4100E

2 / 4

1,848

+0.9%

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.

A8-5557M vs Core i3-4100E 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.

A8-5557M vs Core i3-4100E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-5557M

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,831 vs 1,848).

Core i3-4100E

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while A8-5557M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4100E better than A8-5557M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-5557M is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4100E pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4100E is the better buy right now. Core i3-4100E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-5557M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-4100E is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

A8-5557M vs Core i3-4100E Technical Specifications

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

A8-5557M

The A8-5557M 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FP2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,831 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The A8-5557M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4100E offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5557M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the A8-5557M versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E — a 25.5% clock advantage for the A8-5557M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A8-5557M uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4100E uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5557M scores 1,831 against the Core i3-4100E's 1,848 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-4100E. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-5557M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4100E.

Feature	A8-5557M	Core i3-4100E
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,831	1,848
Geekbench 6 Single	—	550

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-5557M uses the FP2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4100E uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: FP2,FS1r2 (A8-5557M) and QM87,HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4100E).

Feature	A8-5557M	Core i3-4100E
Socket	FP2	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (A8-5557M) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G (A8-5557M) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i3-4100E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: A8-5557M rivals Core i3-4000M; Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series.