A8-5500 vs A8-3870K

VS

Aggregate performance score

A8-3870K
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 100 Watt
1.47
A8-5500
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.64
+11.6%

A8-5500 outperforms A8-3870K by a moderate 12% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing A8-3870K and A8-5500 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21622072
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.392.39
Architecture codenameLlano (2011−2012)Trinity (2012−2013)
Release date20 December 2011 (12 years ago)2 October 2012 (12 years ago)

Detailed specifications

A8-3870K and A8-5500 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3 GHz3.7 GHz
L1 cache128 KB (per core)128 KB (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache0 KB0 KB
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size228 mm2246 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data71 °C
Number of transistors1,178 million1,178 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on A8-3870K and A8-5500 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFM1FM2
Power consumption (TDP)100 Watt65 Watt

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by A8-3870K and A8-5500 are enumerated here.

AMD-V++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by A8-3870K and A8-5500. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
AMD Radeon HD 6550DAMD Radeon HD 7560D

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

A8-3870K 1.47
A8-5500 1.64
+11.6%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

A8-3870K 2328
A8-5500 2609
+12.1%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.47 1.64
Integrated graphics card 1.04 1.18
Recency 20 December 2011 2 October 2012
Power consumption (TDP) 100 Watt 65 Watt

A8-5500 has a 11.6% higher aggregate performance score, 13.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 9 months, and 53.8% lower power consumption.

The A8-5500 is our recommended choice as it beats the A8-3870K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between A8-3870K and A8-5500, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


AMD A8-3870K
A8-3870K
AMD A8-5500
A8-5500

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.1 213 votes

Rate A8-3870K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.6 336 votes

Rate A8-5500 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about A8-3870K or A8-5500, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.