Core m3-6Y30 vs Pro A8-8600B

Intel

Core m3-6Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2015
VS
AMD

Pro A8-8600B

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Core m3-6Y30 vs Pro A8-8600B 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 m3-6Y30 vs Pro A8-8600B 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 m3-6Y30 vs Pro A8-8600B: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core m3-6Y30

2015

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pro A8-8600B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (2,180 vs 2,203).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 14.7 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
    • ❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

    Pro A8-8600B

    2015

    Why buy it

    • βœ…Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • βœ…Costs $131 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
    • βœ…Delivers 89.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 14.7 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
    • βœ…Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pro A8-8600B better than Core m3-6Y30?
    Yes. Pro A8-8600B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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 A8-8600B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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 A8-8600B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pro A8-8600B is the better buy right now. Pro A8-8600B comes in $131 cheaper on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 89.3% better value on MSRP (14.7 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), 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 A8-8600B 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 m3-6Y30 vs Pro A8-8600B Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core m3-6Y30

    The Core m3-6Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $281.

    AMD

    Pro A8-8600B

    The Pro A8-8600B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015βˆ’2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,203 points. Launch price was $69.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    The Core m3-6Y30 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pro A8-8600B offers 4 cores / 4 threads β€” the Pro A8-8600B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 versus 3 GHz on the Pro A8-8600B β€” a 30.8% clock advantage for the Pro A8-8600B (base: 0.9 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core m3-6Y30 uses the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Pro A8-8600B uses Carrizo (2015βˆ’2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core m3-6Y30 scores 2,180 against the Pro A8-8600B's 2,203 β€” a 1% lead for the Pro A8-8600B.

    FeatureCore m3-6Y30Pro A8-8600B
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 4
    4 / 4+100%
    Boost Clock
    2.2 GHz
    3 GHz+36%
    Base Clock
    0.9 GHz
    1.6 GHz+78%
    L3 Cache
    4 MB (total)
    β€”
    L2 Cache
    256 kB (per core)
    2048 kB+700%
    Process
    14 nm-50%
    28 nm
    Architecture
    Skylake-Y (2015)
    Carrizo (2015βˆ’2018)
    PassMark
    2,180
    2,203+1%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core m3-6Y30 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pro A8-8600B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore m3-6Y30Pro A8-8600B
    Socket
    FCBGA1515
    FP4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 3.0
    πŸ’°

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Core m3-6Y30 was priced at $281, while the Pro A8-8600B came in at $150. On launch pricing ($281 vs $150), Pro A8-8600B was $131 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core m3-6Y30 delivers 7.8 pts/$ vs 14.7 pts/$ for the Pro A8-8600B β€” making the Pro A8-8600B the 61.7% better value option.

    FeatureCore m3-6Y30Pro A8-8600B
    MSRP
    $281
    $150-47%
    Performance per Dollar
    7.8
    14.7+88%
    Release Date
    2015
    2015

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