A8-6500 vs Core i5-680

A8-6500 vs Core i5-680 Performance Spectrum

A8-6500

4 / 4

2,598

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-680

2 / 4

2,620

+0.8%

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 i5-680 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 i5-680: 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: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 73W, a 8W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i5-680.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,598 vs 2,620).

Core i5-680

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-6500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while A8-6500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-6500.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-6500 better than Core i5-680?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-6500 is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-680 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-680 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-6500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A8-6500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-680 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

A8-6500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-6500 vs Core i5-680 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 i5-680

The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.

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Processing Power

The A8-6500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-680 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-6500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the A8-6500 versus 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 — a 6% clock advantage for the A8-6500 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The A8-6500 uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-680 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A8-6500 scores 2,598 against the Core i5-680's 2,620 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-680. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-6500 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-680.

Feature	A8-6500	Core i5-680
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+6%	3.86 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,598	2,620

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Memory & Platform

The A8-6500 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-680 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1866 on the A8-6500 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-680 — the A8-6500 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-6500 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	A8-6500	Core i5-680
Socket	FM2	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 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: true (A8-6500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-680). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon HD 8570D (A8-6500) and HD Graphics (Core i5-680) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-6500 rivals Core i3-4130.