A8-8600P
Core i3-3250
A8-8600P vs Core i3-3250 Performance Spectrum
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.
A8-8600P vs Core i3-3250 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
A8-8600P vs Core i3-3250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
A8-8600P
2015Why buy it
- ✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
- ✅Draws 2W instead of 55W, a 53W reduction.
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R6, while Core i3-3250 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.4 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
Core i3-3250
2013Why buy it
- ✅Costs $12 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 8.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.8 vs 16.4 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (2,460 vs 2,464).
- ❌2650% higher power demand at 55W vs 2W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while A8-8600P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is A8-8600P better than Core i3-3250?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A8-8600P vs Core i3-3250 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
A8-8600P
The A8-8600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,464 points. Launch price was $90.
Core i3-3250
The Core i3-3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $138.
Processing Power
The A8-8600P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3250 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-8600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A8-8600P versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The A8-8600P uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-3250 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the A8-8600P scores 2,464 against the Core i3-3250's 2,460 — a 0.2% lead for the A8-8600P.
| Feature | A8-8600P | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3.5 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3.5 GHz+119% |
| L3 Cache | — | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2048 kB+700% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm | 22 nm-21% |
| Architecture | Carrizo (2015−2018) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,464 | 2,460 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,160 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 499 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,300 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A8-8600P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3250 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-8600P | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FP4 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-2133 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | No | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-8600P) / not specified (Core i3-3250). The A8-8600P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R6), while the Core i3-3250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-8600P targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-8600P rivals Core i5-5200U.
| Feature | A8-8600P | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R6 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the A8-8600P was priced at $150, while the Core i3-3250 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($150 vs $138), Core i3-3250 was $12 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A8-8600P delivers 16.4 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-3250 — making the Core i3-3250 the 8.2% better value option.
| Feature | A8-8600P | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $138-8% |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.4 | 17.8+9% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2013 |
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