Core i5-6300U vs PRO A8-8650B

Intel

Core i5-6300U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

PRO A8-8650B

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i5-6300U vs PRO A8-8650B 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 i5-6300U vs PRO A8-8650B 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 i5-6300U vs PRO A8-8650B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6300U

2015

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 520, while PRO A8-8650B needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than PRO A8-8650B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,207 vs 3,230).

PRO A8-8650B

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • 333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6300U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is PRO A8-8650B better than Core i5-6300U?
Yes. PRO A8-8650B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 A8-8650B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.5% 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 A8-8650B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
PRO A8-8650B still makes the most sense overall. PRO A8-8650B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
PRO A8-8650B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i5-6300U vs PRO A8-8650B Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-6300U

The Core i5-6300U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,207 points. Launch price was $281.

AMD

PRO A8-8650B

The PRO A8-8650B 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,230 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core i5-6300U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A8-8650B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A8-8650B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-6300U versus 3.9 GHz on the PRO A8-8650B — a 26.1% clock advantage for the PRO A8-8650B (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-6300U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A8-8650B uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6300U scores 3,207 against the PRO A8-8650B's 3,230 — a 0.7% lead for the PRO A8-8650B.

FeatureCore i5-6300UPRO A8-8650B
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3 GHz
3.9 GHz+30%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
3.2 GHz+33%
L3 Cache
3 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB
4096 kB+700%
Process
14 nm-50%
28 nm
Architecture
Skylake (2015−2016)
Godaveri (2014−2016)
PassMark
3,207
3,230
Geekbench 6 Single
967
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6300U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A8-8650B uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-6300UPRO A8-8650B
Socket
BGA1356
FM2+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
12
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300U) / not specified (PRO A8-8650B). The Core i5-6300U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 520), while the PRO A8-8650B requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6300U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300U rivals PRO A12-9800B.

FeatureCore i5-6300UPRO A8-8650B
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 520
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop