AMD A8-5500 vs AMD A8-3850

The AMD A8-3850, based on the Llano architecture (K10), was introduced as one of the first AMD Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) for the mainstream desktop market, to combine CPU performance with integrated graphics.

Its successor, the AMD A8-5500 with the Trinity architecture (Piledriver), also targeted this segment and promised improvements in both areas.

Both processors are manufactured using the 32nm fabrication process and feature four computing cores as well as a 4 MB Level 3 cache. A Level 2 cache is specified as 0 MB for both. In performance comparison, the AMD A8-5500, thanks to its Piledriver architecture, shows a slight advantage in single-core performance over the AMD A8-3850.

However, since the difference in Cinebench R23 is less than ten percent, single-core performance can be considered comparable. In gaming scenarios, the AMD A8-5500 with its integrated AMD Radeon HD 7560D offers better graphics performance than the AMD A8-3850 with the AMD Radeon HD 6550D.

The higher maximum memory bandwidth of 30 GB/s for the AMD A8-5500 compared to 26 GB/s for the AMD A8-3850 supports this improvement. Both APUs were designed for everyday tasks and lighter games. As desktop processors, they are optimized for standard desktop systems, with a TDP typical for the mainstream segment.

As they are older models, they are no longer available new and can only be found on the used market for very low prices. The AMD A8-5500 is the better choice for most use cases, especially if graphics performance plays a role, due to its architectural improvements and more powerful integrated graphics.