Core i3-2370M vs A8-3500M
Core i3-2370M
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 i3-2370M is positioned at rank 1186 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 i3-2370M
Performance Per Dollar A8-3500M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2370M | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2370M | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ 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 i3-2370M and A8-3500M
Core i3-2370M
The Core i3-2370M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,370 points. Launch price was $225.
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 i3-2370M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A8-3500M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3500M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-2370M versus 2.4 GHz on the A8-3500M — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-2370M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A8-3500M uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2370M scores 1,370 against the A8-3500M's 1,391 — a 1.5% lead for the A8-3500M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 412 vs 231, a 56.3% lead for the Core i3-2370M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2370M vs 0 kB on the A8-3500M.
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+60% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 1,370 | 1,391+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 412+78% | 231 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 711 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2370M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A8-3500M uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2370M) vs 20 (A8-3500M) — the A8-3500M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FS1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2370M) vs AMD-V (A8-3500M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i3-2370M) and Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3500M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2370M targets Laptop, A8-3500M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3500M rivals Core i3-2310M.
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | A8-3500M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon HD 6620G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Laptop | Budget Laptop |
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