Core i3-2120T vs Pro A6-8500B

Core i3-2120T vs Pro A6-8500B Performance Spectrum

Core i3-2120T

2 / 4

1,570

0.0%

1,592

+1.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-2120T vs Pro A6-8500B 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.

Core i3-2120T vs Pro A6-8500B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2120T

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while Pro A6-8500B needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pro A6-8500B.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pro A6-8500B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,570 vs 1,592).
❌Launch MSRP is still $127 MSRP, while Pro A6-8500B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Pro A6-8500B

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2120T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2120T.

Quick Answers

So, is Pro A6-8500B better than Core i3-2120T?

Yes. Pro A6-8500B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% 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, Pro A6-8500B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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, Pro A6-8500B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pro A6-8500B is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pro A6-8500B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $127 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2120T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pro A6-8500B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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.

Core i3-2120T vs Pro A6-8500B Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2120T

The Core i3-2120T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,570 points. Launch price was $50.

Pro A6-8500B

The Pro A6-8500B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR3/DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,592 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-2120T and Pro A6-8500B share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i3-2120T versus 3 GHz on the Pro A6-8500B — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Pro A6-8500B (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-2120T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pro A6-8500B uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2120T scores 1,570 against the Pro A6-8500B's 1,592 — a 1.4% lead for the Pro A6-8500B.

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Pro A6-8500B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+63%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1024 kB+300%
Process	32 nm	28 nm-13%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	1,570	1,592+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	403	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2120T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pro A6-8500B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2120T	Pro A6-8500B
Socket	LGA1155	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2120T) / not specified (Pro A6-8500B). The Core i3-2120T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Pro A6-8500B requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2120T targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2120T rivals A6-3500.