Core i3-4030U vs PRO A6-8550B

Intel

Core i3-4030U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

PRO A6-8550B

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i3-4030U vs PRO A6-8550B Performance Spectrum

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 i3-4030U vs PRO A6-8550B 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 i3-4030U vs PRO A6-8550B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4030U

2014

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A6-8550B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (1,876 vs 1,882).
    • Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while PRO A6-8550B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

    PRO A6-8550B

    2015

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is PRO A6-8550B better than Core i3-4030U?
    Yes. PRO A6-8550B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 A6-8550B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% 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 A6-8550B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    PRO A6-8550B is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. PRO A6-8550B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4030U only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.7% in the shared gaming data.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    PRO A6-8550B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Core i3-4030U vs PRO A6-8550B Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core i3-4030U

    The Core i3-4030U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) 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. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $281.

    AMD

    PRO A6-8550B

    The PRO A6-8550B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The Core i3-4030U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the PRO A6-8550B's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-4030U versus 4 GHz on the PRO A6-8550B — a 71.2% clock advantage for the PRO A6-8550B (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-4030U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the PRO A6-8550B uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4030U scores 1,876 against the PRO A6-8550B's 1,882 — a 0.3% lead for the PRO A6-8550B.

    FeatureCore i3-4030UPRO A6-8550B
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 4
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    1.9 GHz
    4 GHz+111%
    Base Clock
    1.9 GHz
    3.5 GHz+84%
    L3 Cache
    3 MB
    L2 Cache
    512 kB
    1024 kB+100%
    Process
    22 nm-21%
    28 nm
    Architecture
    Haswell (2013−2015)
    Godaveri (2014−2016)
    PassMark
    1,876
    1,882
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i3-4030U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A6-8550B uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i3-4030UPRO A6-8550B
    Socket
    FCBGA1168
    FM2+
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0