Core i5-520UM vs A10-4600M
Core i5-520UM
A10-4600M
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 i5-520UM is positioned at rank 130 and the A10-4600M is on rank 661, so the Core i5-520UM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520UM
Performance Per Dollar A10-4600M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-520UM | A10-4600M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-520UM | A10-4600M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i5-520UM and A10-4600M
Core i5-520UM
The Core i5-520UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.07 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,943 points. Launch price was $241.
A10-4600M
The A10-4600M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,948 points. Launch price was $130.
Processing Power
The Core i5-520UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A10-4600M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A10-4600M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Core i5-520UM versus 3.2 GHz on the A10-4600M — a 52.5% clock advantage for the A10-4600M (base: 1.07 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-520UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the A10-4600M uses Trinity (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-520UM scores 1,943 against the A10-4600M's 1,948 — a 0.3% lead for the A10-4600M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-520UM vs 0 kB on the A10-4600M.
| Feature | Core i5-520UM | A10-4600M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.87 GHz | 3.2 GHz+71% |
| Base Clock | 1.07 GHz | 2.3 GHz+115% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 4 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Trinity (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,943 | 1,948 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 342 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 916 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-520UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A10-4600M uses FS1r2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Core i5-520UM versus DDR3-1600 on the A10-4600M — the Core i5-520UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A10-4600M supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-520UM) and A70M (A10-4600M).
| Feature | Core i5-520UM | A10-4600M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | FS1r2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 800+26567% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 16 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-520UM) vs AMD-V (A10-4600M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-520UM) and Radeon HD 7660G (A10-4600M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-4600M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-520UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400; A10-4600M rivals Core i3-2310M.
| Feature | Core i5-520UM | A10-4600M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | Radeon HD 7660G |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Laptop |
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