Pro A8-8600B vs Core i5-2520M

CPU

GPU

Pro A8-8600B

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Core i5-2520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pro A8-8600B

4 / 4

2,203

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2520M

2 / 4

2,241

+1.7%

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 Pro A8-8600B is positioned at rank 986 and the Core i5-2520M is on rank 1083, so the Pro A8-8600B offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Pro A8-8600B

#974

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1997%

#975

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1968%

#976

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1807%

#977

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1799%

#978

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1782%

#980

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1721%

#981

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1650%

#982

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1647%

#983

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1603%

#986

Pro A8-8600B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

100%

#991

Pentium 8500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

99%

#992

A6-8500P

MSRP: $100|Avg: $16

98%

#994

Core i7-4700EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $180

98%

#995

Core i3-8145UE

MSRP: $281|Avg: $50

97%

#996

Core i7-4712MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $60

96%

#997

Core i7-3615QE

MSRP: $400|Avg: $100

96%

#998

Celeron M U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

95%

#999

3015Ce

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

95%

#1000

Core i7-4700MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

95%

#1001

Athlon II M340

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2520M

#1071

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2946%

#1072

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2903%

#1073

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2665%

#1074

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2653%

#1075

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2628%

#1077

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2538%

#1078

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2434%

#1079

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2430%

#1080

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2364%

#1083

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1084

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

100%

#1089

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

96%

#1090

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1092

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

95%

#1093

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

95%

#1094

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1096

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1097

Celeron 877

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

#1098

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $50

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2520M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Pro A8-8600B in both compute-intensive tasks (1.7% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Pro A8-8600B	Core i5-2520M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Pro A8-8600B holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $25 (vs $225), it costs 89% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 785% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2520M.

Insight	Pro A8-8600B	Core i5-2520M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+785%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

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.

Pro A8-8600B Benchmark Check

Core i5-2520M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pro A8-8600B and Core i5-2520M

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 (2015−2018) 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.

Core i5-2520M

The Core i5-2520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pro A8-8600B packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2520M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Pro A8-8600B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Pro A8-8600B versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-2520M (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Pro A8-8600B uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-2520M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pro A8-8600B scores 2,203 against the Core i5-2520M's 2,241 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-2520M.

Feature	Pro A8-8600B	Core i5-2520M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.5 GHz+56%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Carrizo (2015−2018)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,203	2,241+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pro A8-8600B uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pro A8-8600B	Core i5-2520M
Socket	FP4	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pro A8-8600B) / true (Core i5-2520M). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pro A8-8600B requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.