Core i5-3437U vs FirePro A320

Intel

Core i5-3437U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

FirePro A320

4 Cores4 Thrd100 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i5-3437U vs FirePro A320 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 i5-3437U vs FirePro A320 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 i5-3437U vs FirePro A320: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3437U

2013

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while FirePro A320 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FirePro A320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 412% higher power demand at 512W vs 100W.

FirePro A320

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 100W instead of 512W, a 412W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,153 vs 2,166).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3437U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3437U better than FirePro A320?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FirePro A320 is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3437U pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3437U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-3437U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-3437U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-3437U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3437U vs FirePro A320 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-3437U

The Core i5-3437U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 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 2.9 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: 2,166 points. Launch price was $69.

AMD

FirePro A320

The FirePro A320 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,153 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core i5-3437U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FirePro A320 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FirePro A320 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-3437U versus 4.2 GHz on the FirePro A320 — a 36.6% clock advantage for the FirePro A320 (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-3437U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FirePro A320 uses Trinity (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3437U scores 2,166 against the FirePro A320's 2,153 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3437U.

FeatureCore i5-3437UFirePro A320
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
4.2 GHz+45%
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
3.8 GHz+100%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+6300%
4 MB (total)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Trinity (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,166
2,153
Geekbench 6 Single
440
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,080
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3437U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FirePro A320 uses FM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-3437UFirePro A320
Socket
BGA1023
FM2
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3437U) / not specified (FirePro A320). The Core i5-3437U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the FirePro A320 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3437U targets Business Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-3437U rivals AMD A8-4555M.

FeatureCore i5-3437UFirePro A320
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Business Ultrabook