i5-520M vs A8-3870K

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Aggregate performance score

A8-3870K
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 100 Watt
1.52
+35.7%

A8-3870K outperforms Core i5-520M by a substantial 36% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing A8-3870K and Core i5-520M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21552400
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Power efficiency1.392.92
Architecture codenameLlano (2011−2012)Arrandale (2010−2011)
Release date20 December 2011 (12 years ago)7 January 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$225

Detailed specifications

A8-3870K and Core i5-520M 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3 GHz2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3 GHz2.93 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 1.0
Bus rateno data1 × 2.5 GT/s
Multiplierno data18
L1 cache128 KB (per core)128 KB
L2 cache1 MB (per core)512 KB
L3 cache0 KB3 MB
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size228 mm281+114 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data105 °C
Number of transistors1,178 million382+177 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on A8-3870K and Core i5-520M 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFM1BGA1288,PGA988
Power consumption (TDP)100 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by A8-3870K and Core i5-520M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI-+
FMA-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data+
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

A8-3870K and Core i5-520M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by A8-3870K and Core i5-520M are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by A8-3870K and Core i5-520M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3-800, DDR3-1066
Maximum memory sizeno data8.3 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data17.051 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardAMD Radeon HD 6550DIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data766 MHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of A8-3870K and Core i5-520M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by A8-3870K and Core i5-520M.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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 1.52
+35.7%
i5-520M 1.12

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 2321
+35.3%
i5-520M 1716

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.52 1.12
Recency 20 December 2011 7 January 2010
Physical cores 4 2
Power consumption (TDP) 100 Watt 35 Watt

A8-3870K has a 35.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 100% more physical cores.

i5-520M, on the other hand, has 185.7% lower power consumption.

The A8-3870K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-520M in performance tests.

Note that A8-3870K is a desktop processor while Core i5-520M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between A8-3870K and Core i5-520M, 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
Intel Core i5-520M
Core i5-520M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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