Core i5-560M vs PRO A6-8550B

Core i5-560M vs PRO A6-8550B Performance Spectrum

Core i5-560M

2 / 4

1,894

+0.6%

Celeron Dual-Core T1700

1,882

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.

Core i5-560M vs PRO A6-8550B 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 i5-560M vs PRO A6-8550B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-560M

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), while PRO A6-8550B needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A6-8550B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while PRO A6-8550B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

PRO A6-8550B

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,882 vs 1,894).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-560M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-560M better than PRO A6-8550B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A6-8550B is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560M 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 i5-560M 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 i5-560M is the better buy right now. Core i5-560M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that PRO A6-8550B is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

PRO A6-8550B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-560M vs PRO A6-8550B Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-560M

The Core i5-560M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,894 points. Launch price was $225.

PRO A6-8550B

The PRO A6-8550B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-560M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the PRO A6-8550B's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-560M versus 4 GHz on the PRO A6-8550B — a 22.2% clock advantage for the PRO A6-8550B (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-560M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the PRO A6-8550B uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-560M scores 1,894 against the PRO A6-8550B's 1,882 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-560M.

Feature	Core i5-560M	PRO A6-8550B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4 GHz+25%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	3.5 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1024 kB+300%
Process	32 nm	28 nm-13%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Godaveri (2014−2016)
PassMark	1,894	1,882
Geekbench 6 Single	450	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	950	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-560M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A6-8550B uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-560M	PRO A6-8550B
Socket	PGA988	FM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-560M) / not specified (PRO A6-8550B). The Core i5-560M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the PRO A6-8550B requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-560M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-560M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.