A8-6500 vs Core i3-7020U

A8-6500 vs Core i3-7020U Performance Spectrum

A8-6500

4 / 4

2,598

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-7020U

2 / 4

2,567

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.

A8-6500 vs Core i3-7020U 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.

A8-6500 vs Core i3-7020U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-6500

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8570D, while Core i3-7020U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i3-7020U.

Trade-offs

❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Core i3-7020U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-6500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,567 vs 2,598).
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-6500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-6500.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-6500 better than Core i3-7020U?

Yes. A8-6500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-6500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.4% 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, A8-6500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-6500 still makes the most sense overall. A8-6500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-7020U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-6500 vs Core i3-7020U Technical Specifications

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

A8-6500

The A8-6500 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,598 points. Launch price was $90.

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The A8-6500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-7020U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-6500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the A8-6500 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U — a 56.3% clock advantage for the A8-6500 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A8-6500 uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-7020U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-6500 scores 2,598 against the Core i3-7020U's 2,567 — a 1.2% lead for the A8-6500. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-6500 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U.

Feature	A8-6500	Core i3-7020U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+78%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+52%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	4096 kB+700%	512 kB
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,598+1%	2,567

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Memory & Platform

The A8-6500 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-7020U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-6500	Core i3-7020U
Socket	FM2	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 (A8-6500) / not specified (Core i3-7020U). The A8-6500 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8570D), while the Core i3-7020U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-6500 rivals Core i3-4130.