Core m3-6Y30 vs PRO A8-9600B

Core m3-6Y30 vs PRO A8-9600B Performance Spectrum

Core m3-6Y30

2 / 4

2,180

0.0%

2,195

+0.7%

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 m3-6Y30 vs PRO A8-9600B 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 A8-9600B: 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 A8-9600B across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,180 vs 2,195).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while PRO A8-9600B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

PRO A8-9600B

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅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 A8-9600B better than Core m3-6Y30?

Yes. PRO A8-9600B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% 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 A8-9600B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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 A8-9600B 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 A8-9600B is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. PRO A8-9600B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-6Y30 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 4.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

PRO A8-9600B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and 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 A8-9600B Technical Specifications

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

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.

PRO A8-9600B

The PRO A8-9600B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,195 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core m3-6Y30 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the PRO A8-9600B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the PRO A8-9600B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 versus 3.3 GHz on the PRO A8-9600B — a 40% clock advantage for the PRO A8-9600B (base: 0.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core m3-6Y30 uses the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the PRO A8-9600B uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core m3-6Y30 scores 2,180 against the PRO A8-9600B's 2,195 — a 0.7% lead for the PRO A8-9600B.

Feature	Core m3-6Y30	PRO A8-9600B
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+50%
Base Clock	0.9 GHz	2.4 GHz+167%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2048 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-50%	28 nm
Architecture	Skylake-Y (2015)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,180	2,195

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Memory & Platform

The Core m3-6Y30 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the PRO A8-9600B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.