Core i5-3210M vs A8-8600P

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

A8-8600P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3210M

2 / 4

2,469

+0.2%

2,464

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.

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 i5-3210M is positioned at rank 158 and the A8-8600P is on rank 948, so the Core i5-3210M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A8-8600P

#936

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1786%

#937

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1760%

#938

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1615%

#939

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1608%

#940

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1593%

#942

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1539%

#943

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1475%

#944

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1473%

#945

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1433%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

100%

#949

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

100%

#954

Core i7-5850EQ

MSRP: $435|Avg: $370

98%

#956

Core i7-4810MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#959

Celeron Dual-Core T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

97%

#960

Celeron 4305UE

MSRP: $107|Avg: $107

97%

#963

Core i7-10510U

MSRP: $409|Avg: N/A

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-3210M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the A8-8600P in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	A8-8600P
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3210M stands out as the superior choice. It delivers superior performance at a comparable price point.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	A8-8600P
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+0%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-3210M Benchmark Check

A8-8600P Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3210M and A8-8600P

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

A8-8600P

The A8-8600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. 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: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,464 points. Launch price was $90.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3210M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A8-8600P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-8600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 3 GHz on the A8-8600P — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3210M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i5-3210M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the A8-8600P uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the A8-8600P's 2,464 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-3210M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 499, a 18.4% lead for the Core i5-3210M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,400 vs 1,300 (7.4% advantage for the Core i5-3210M).

Feature	Core i5-3210M	A8-8600P
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+56%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	22 nm-21%	28 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,469	2,464
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,160
Geekbench 6 Single	600+20%	499
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400+8%	1,300

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3210M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A8-8600P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3210M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3210M) vs 12 (A8-8600P) — the Core i5-3210M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M) and SoC (A8-8600P).

Feature	Core i5-3210M	A8-8600P
Socket	BGA1023	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M) vs AMD-V (A8-8600P). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3210M) and Radeon R6 (A8-8600P) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop, A8-8600P targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M; A8-8600P rivals Core i5-5200U.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	A8-8600P
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	Radeon R6
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3210M launched at $225 MSRP, while the A8-8600P debuted at $150. At current prices ($30 vs $30), the A8-8600P is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3210M delivers 82.3 pts/$ vs 82.1 pts/$ for the A8-8600P — making the Core i5-3210M the 0.2% better value option.