A8-9600 vs Core i7-6500U

A8-9600 vs Core i7-6500U Performance Spectrum

A8-9600

4 / 4

3,295

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-6500U

2 / 4

3,271

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.

A8-9600 vs Core i7-6500U 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.

A8-9600 vs Core i7-6500U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-9600

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7 Series, while Core i7-6500U needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-6500U.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-6500U

2015

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A8-9600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,271 vs 3,295).
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-9600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A8-9600.

Quick Answers

So, is A8-9600 better than Core i7-6500U?

Yes. A8-9600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A8-9600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% 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, A8-9600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

A8-9600 still makes the most sense overall. A8-9600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

A8-9600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-9600 vs Core i7-6500U Technical Specifications

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

A8-9600

The A8-9600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,295 points. Launch price was $78.

Core i7-6500U

The Core i7-6500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,271 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The A8-9600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-6500U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A8-9600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the A8-9600 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-6500U — a 9.2% clock advantage for the A8-9600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A8-9600 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-6500U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the A8-9600 scores 3,295 against the Core i7-6500U's 3,271 — a 0.7% lead for the A8-9600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-9600 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6500U.

Feature	A8-9600	Core i7-6500U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+24%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512 kB
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,295	3,271
Geekbench 6 Single	607	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,415	—

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Memory & Platform

The A8-9600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6500U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A8-9600	Core i7-6500U
Socket	AM4	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-9600) / not specified (Core i7-6500U). The A8-9600 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7 Series), while the Core i7-6500U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-9600 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-9600 rivals Pentium G4560.