A8-5600K vs Apple M2

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.40
+422%
A8-5600K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 100 Watt
1.80

Apple M2 outperforms A8-5600K by a whopping 422% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing M2 and A8-5600K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8142023
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesApple Apple M-SeriesAMD A-Series (Desktop)
Power efficiency44.451.70
Architecture codenameno dataTrinity (2012−2013)
Release date10 June 2022 (2 years ago)2 October 2012 (12 years ago)

Detailed specifications

M2 and A8-5600K 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.424 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.48 GHz3.9 GHz
L1 cache2 MB128K (per core)
L2 cache20 MB1 MB (per core)
L3 cacheno data0 KB
Chip lithography5 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data246 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data74 °C
Number of transistors20000 Million1,178 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on M2 and A8-5600K 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 configurationno data1
Socketno dataFM2
Power consumption (TDP)20 Watt100 Watt

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by M2 and A8-5600K are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by M2 and A8-5600K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardApple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)AMD Radeon HD 7560D (760 MHz)

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.

Apple M2 9.40
+422%
A8-5600K 1.80

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.

Apple M2 14933
+423%
A8-5600K 2854

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

Apple M2 1215
+316%
A8-5600K 292

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

Apple M2 223
+156%
A8-5600K 87

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.40 1.80
Recency 10 June 2022 2 October 2012
Physical cores 8 4
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 5 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 20 Watt 100 Watt

Apple M2 has a 422.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 540% more advanced lithography process, and 400% lower power consumption.

The M2 is our recommended choice as it beats the A8-5600K in performance tests.

Be aware that Apple M2 is a notebook processor while A8-5600K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M2 and A8-5600K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M2
M2
AMD A8-5600K
A8-5600K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about M2 or A8-5600K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.