Core i5-3610ME vs Pro A12-8800B

Intel

Core i5-3610ME

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Pro A12-8800B

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i5-3610ME vs Pro A12-8800B 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 i5-3610ME vs Pro A12-8800B 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 i5-3610ME vs Pro A12-8800B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3610ME

2012

Why buy it

  • Costs $124 less on MSRP ($276 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
  • Delivers 44.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.6 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($276 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pro A12-8800B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,652 vs 2,667).
  • 1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Pro A12-8800B

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.7 vs 9.6 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $276 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Pro A12-8800B better than Core i5-3610ME?
Yes. Pro A12-8800B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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 A12-8800B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.4% 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 A12-8800B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pro A12-8800B is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pro A12-8800B comes in 44.9% more expensive on MSRP at $400 MSRP versus $276 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3610ME only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 44.1% better value on paper (9.6 vs 6.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on G2.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pro A12-8800B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3610ME vs Pro A12-8800B Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-3610ME

The Core i5-3610ME 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,652 points. Launch price was $69.

AMD

Pro A12-8800B

The Pro A12-8800B 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: 2,667 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-3610ME packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pro A12-8800B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pro A12-8800B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3610ME versus 3.4 GHz on the Pro A12-8800B — a 3% clock advantage for the Pro A12-8800B (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-3610ME uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pro A12-8800B uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3610ME scores 2,652 against the Pro A12-8800B's 2,667 — a 0.6% lead for the Pro A12-8800B. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 585 vs 528, a 10.2% lead for the Core i5-3610ME that directly translates to higher frame rates.

FeatureCore i5-3610MEPro A12-8800B
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+29%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2048 kB+700%
Process
22 nm-21%
28 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark
2,652
2,667
Geekbench 6 Single
585+11%
528
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,144
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3610ME uses the G2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pro A12-8800B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3610ME versus DDR3-2133 on the Pro A12-8800B — the Pro A12-8800B supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pro A12-8800B supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM77,QM67 (Core i5-3610ME) and Socket FP4 (Pro A12-8800B).

FeatureCore i5-3610MEPro A12-8800B
Socket
G2
FP4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR3-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
64 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3610ME) vs AMD-V (Pro A12-8800B). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3610ME) and Radeon R7 Graphics (Pro A12-8800B) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3610ME targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-3610ME rivals Embedded R-Series.

FeatureCore i5-3610MEPro A12-8800B
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
Radeon R7 Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Embedded
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3610ME was priced at $276, while the Pro A12-8800B came in at $400. On launch pricing ($276 vs $400), Core i5-3610ME was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3610ME delivers 9.6 pts/$ vs 6.7 pts/$ for the Pro A12-8800B — making the Core i5-3610ME the 36.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-3610MEPro A12-8800B
MSRP
$276-31%
$400
Performance per Dollar
9.6+43%
6.7
Release Date
2012
2015

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