CPU
GPU
Core i5-2557M
A8-3530MX
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 i5-2557M is positioned at rank 36 and the A8-3530MX is on rank 763, so the Core i5-2557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Per Dollar A8-3530MX
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i5-2557M and A8-3530MX
Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.
A8-3530MX
The A8-3530MX 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,608 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2557M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A8-3530MX offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3530MX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M versus 2.6 GHz on the A8-3530MX — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M (base: 1.7 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-2557M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the A8-3530MX uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2557M scores 1,618 against the A8-3530MX's 1,608 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-2557M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 521 vs 278, a 60.8% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M vs 0 kB on the A8-3530MX.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+4% | 2.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | 1.9 GHz+12% |
| 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 | 1,618 | 1,608 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 521+87% | 278 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 882 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2557M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A8-3530MX uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The A8-3530MX supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2557M) vs 20 (A8-3530MX) — the A8-3530MX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FS1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M) vs AMD-V (A8-3530MX). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) and Radeon HD 6620G (A8-3530MX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget, A8-3530MX targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; A8-3530MX rivals Core i5-2430M.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon HD 6620G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Budget | Mainstream 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 i5-2557M and A8-3530MX
