Core i7-3687U vs A8-5500
Core i7-3687U
A8-5500
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 i7-3687U is positioned at rank 654 and the A8-5500 is on rank 472, so the A8-5500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3687U
Performance Per Dollar A8-5500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3687U | A8-5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3687U | A8-5500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i7-3687U and A8-5500
Core i7-3687U
The Core i7-3687U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,621 points. Launch price was $69.
A8-5500
The A8-5500 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,615 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3687U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the A8-5500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3687U versus 3.7 GHz on the A8-5500 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the A8-5500 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-3687U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the A8-5500 uses Trinity (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3687U scores 2,621 against the A8-5500's 2,615 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3687U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3687U vs 0 kB on the A8-5500.
| Feature | Core i7-3687U | A8-5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz+52% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Trinity (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,621 | 2,615 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 640 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,240 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3687U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the A8-5500 uses FM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-3687U versus 1866 on the A8-5500 — the A8-5500 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-5500 supports up to 64 of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3687U) and FM2 (A8-5500).
| Feature | Core i7-3687U | A8-5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | 1866+62100% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+52428700% | 64 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3687U) vs true (A8-5500). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3687U) and Radeon HD 7560D (A8-5500) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3687U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i7-3687U rivals Ryzen 7 3700U; A8-5500 rivals Pentium G2120.
| Feature | Core i7-3687U | A8-5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4000 | Radeon HD 7560D |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | true |
| Target Use | Enthusiast | — |
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