CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E6550
A8-3500M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Duo E6550 is positioned at rank 1022 and the A8-3500M is on rank 821, so the A8-3500M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E6550
Performance Per Dollar A8-3500M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6550 | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6550 | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E6550 and A8-3500M
Core 2 Duo E6550
The Core 2 Duo E6550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,395 points. Launch price was $249.
A8-3500M
The A8-3500M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,391 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E6550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the A8-3500M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3500M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6550 versus 2.4 GHz on the A8-3500M — a 3% clock advantage for the A8-3500M (base: 2.33 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6550 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the A8-3500M uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6550 scores 1,395 against the A8-3500M's 1,391 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6550. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.33 GHz | 2.4 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.33 GHz+55% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+300% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Conroe (2006−2007) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 1,395 | 1,391 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 231 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E6550 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A8-3500M uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E6550 versus DDR3-1333 on the A8-3500M — the Core 2 Duo E6550 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E6550) vs 20 (A8-3500M) — the A8-3500M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | FS1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E6550) vs AMD-V (A8-3500M). The A8-3500M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Core 2 Duo E6550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3500M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6550 rivals Athlon 64 X2 6000+; A8-3500M rivals Core i3-2310M.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Radeon HD 6620G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Budget Laptop |
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