A8-6500 vs Core i5-4258U

A8-6500 vs Core i5-4258U Performance Spectrum

A8-6500

4 / 4

2,598

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-4258U

2 / 4

2,610

+0.5%

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 i5-4258U 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 i5-4258U: 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: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8570D, while Core i5-4258U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i5-4258U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,598 vs 2,610).

Core i5-4258U

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-6500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌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 i5-4258U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-6500 is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4258U pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4258U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 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 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-4258U is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

A8-6500 vs Core i5-4258U 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 i5-4258U

The Core i5-4258U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 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 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $342.

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Processing Power

The A8-6500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4258U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-6500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the A8-6500 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4258U — a 34.3% clock advantage for the A8-6500 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The A8-6500 uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4258U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-6500 scores 2,598 against the Core i5-4258U's 2,610 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-4258U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-6500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4258U.

Feature	A8-6500	Core i5-4258U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+41%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+46%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,598	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The A8-6500 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4258U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-6500	Core i5-4258U
Socket	FM2	FCBGA1168
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 i5-4258U). The A8-6500 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8570D), while the Core i5-4258U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-6500 rivals Core i3-4130.