Pentium A1020
VS
Ryzen 5 3600

Pentium A1020 vs Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Pentium A1020

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2016
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

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. The Pentium A1020 is positioned at rank #1009 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium A1020

#997
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2162%
#998
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2130%
#999
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1956%
#1000
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1947%
#1001
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1929%
#1003
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1863%
#1004
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1786%
#1005
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1783%
#1006
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1735%
#1009
Pentium A1020
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
100%
#1010
Core i3-1115GRE
MSRP: $338|Avg: $480
100%
#1011
Core i7-4702MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
100%
#1012
Pentium N4200
MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89
99%
#1013
Pentium J2900
MSRP: $94|Avg: $20
98%
#1014
Celeron T1700
MSRP: $80|Avg: $5
97%
#1015
Celeron T3500
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
97%
#1016
A12-9720P
MSRP: $200|Avg: $25
97%
#1017
Core i5-4300M
MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A
96%
#1018
Celeron 1005M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
96%
#1019
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
95%
#1020
Athlon Neo MV-40
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
94%
#1021
Core i7-4860EQ
MSRP: $434|Avg: $80
94%
#1022
Pentium SU2700
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
93%
#1023
A4-1250
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
1410%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
1332%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
967%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
291%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
231%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
202%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
116%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
114%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
104%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
104%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
103%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
100%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
99%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
98%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
97%
#16
Core Ultra 5 225F
MSRP: $231|Avg: $150
95%
#17
Core Ultra 7 265K
MSRP: $309|Avg: $285
93%
#18
Ryzen 9 3900
MSRP: $499|Avg: $150
92%
#19
Ryzen 5 3600X
MSRP: $249|Avg: $90
91%
#20
Core i7-14700KF
MSRP: $384|Avg: $260
91%
#21
Core i7-14700K
MSRP: $409|Avg: $270
88%
#22
Ryzen 5 4500
MSRP: $129|Avg: $85
85%
#23
Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $115
85%
#24
Celeron G5925
MSRP: $62|Avg: $15
85%
#25
Ryzen 5 7500F
MSRP: $179|Avg: $145
83%
#26
Core Ultra 5 245
MSRP: $319|Avg: $220
83%
#27
Ryzen 7 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $86
82%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen 5 3600 (2019) utilizes 7 nm, 12 nm technology and **DDR4 Dual-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightPentium A1020Ryzen 5 3600
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($86)
More affordable ($80)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Pentium A1020 (2016) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightPentium A1020Ryzen 5 3600
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+1529%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($86)
More affordable ($80)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 Pentium A1020 and Ryzen 5 3600

Intel

Pentium A1020

The Pentium A1020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,167 points. Launch price was $69.

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Pentium A1020 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 43.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 2.41 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 is built on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium A1020 scores 1,167 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 175.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium A1020 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

FeaturePentium A1020Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz
4.2 GHz+56%
Base Clock
2.41 GHz
3.6 GHz+49%
L3 Cache
2 MB L2 Cache
32 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
Process
22 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture
Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark
1,167
17,685+1415%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,898
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium A1020 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium A1020Ryzen 5 3600
Socket
FCBGA1170
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium A1020) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

FeaturePentium A1020Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
Target Use
Gaming/Budget Workstation
💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium A1020 launched at $86 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($86 vs $80), the Ryzen 5 3600 is $6 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium A1020 delivers 13.6 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 176.9% better value option.

FeaturePentium A1020Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP
$86-57%
$199
Avg Price (30d)
$86
$80-7%
Performance per Dollar
13.6
221.1+1526%
Release Date
2016
2019