CPU
GPU
Core i3-3227U
A6-3420M
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 i3-3227U is positioned at rank 599 and the A6-3420M is on rank 837, so the Core i3-3227U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3227U
Performance Per Dollar A6-3420M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3227U | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3227U | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-3227U and A6-3420M
Core i3-3227U
The Core i3-3227U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,299 points. Launch price was $225.
A6-3420M
The A6-3420M 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: 1,310 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3227U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A6-3420M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A6-3420M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-3227U versus 2.4 GHz on the A6-3420M — a 23.3% clock advantage for the A6-3420M (base: 1.9 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i3-3227U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the A6-3420M uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3227U scores 1,299 against the A6-3420M's 1,310 — a 0.8% lead for the A6-3420M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 400 vs 234, a 52.4% lead for the Core i3-3227U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3227U vs 0 kB on the A6-3420M.
| Feature | Core i3-3227U | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2.4 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz+27% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 1,299 | 1,310 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 400+71% | 234 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 900 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3227U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A6-3420M uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-3227U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i3-3227U | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FS1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-3227U) vs AMD-V (A6-3420M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i3-3227U) and Radeon HD 6520G (A6-3420M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3227U targets Legacy Ultrabook, A6-3420M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3227U rivals AMD A6-4455M; A6-3420M rivals Core i3-2330M.
| Feature | Core i3-3227U | A6-3420M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Radeon HD 6520G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Ultrabook | Budget Laptop |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-3227U and A6-3420M
