Core i3-5020U vs Pro A8-8600B

Core i3-5020U vs Pro A8-8600B Performance Spectrum

Core i3-5020U

2 / 4

2,232

+1.3%

2,203

0.0%

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 i3-5020U vs Pro A8-8600B 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 i3-5020U vs Pro A8-8600B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5020U

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 5500, while Pro A8-8600B needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Pro A8-8600B

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,203 vs 2,232).
❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i3-5020U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5020U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pro A8-8600B better than Core i3-5020U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pro A8-8600B is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5020U pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5020U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pro A8-8600B is the better buy right now. Pro A8-8600B comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-5020U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pro A8-8600B is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i3-5020U vs Pro A8-8600B Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5020U

The Core i3-5020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.

Pro A8-8600B

The Pro A8-8600B 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3/DDR3L-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,203 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-5020U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pro A8-8600B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pro A8-8600B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U versus 3 GHz on the Pro A8-8600B — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Pro A8-8600B (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i3-5020U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pro A8-8600B uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5020U scores 2,232 against the Pro A8-8600B's 2,203 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-5020U.

Feature	Core i3-5020U	Pro A8-8600B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3 GHz+36%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+38%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,232+1%	2,203
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,200	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5020U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pro A8-8600B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5020U	Pro A8-8600B
Socket	FCBGA1168	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U) / not specified (Pro A8-8600B). The Core i3-5020U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Pro A8-8600B requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop.