AMD A8-3870K vs AMD Athlon II X2 255

Comparative analysis of AMD A8-3870K and AMD Athlon II X2 255 processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s), GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Fps), GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Fps).

 

Differences

Reasons to consider the AMD A8-3870K

  • CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 10 month(s) later
  • Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
  • 2 more cores, run more applications at once: 4 vs 2
  • A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 32 nm vs 45 nm
  • 2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
  • 2x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
  • Around 98% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 2323 vs 1175
  • Around 6% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 373 vs 353
  • Around 78% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 1172 vs 660
Specifications (specs)
Launch date December 2011 vs January 2010
Unlocked Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores 4 vs 2
Manufacturing process technology 32 nm vs 45 nm
L1 cache 128 KB (per core) vs 256 KB
L2 cache 1024 KB (per core) vs 2 MB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark 2323 vs 1175
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 373 vs 353
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 1172 vs 660

Reasons to consider the AMD Athlon II X2 255

  • Around 3% higher clock speed: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz
  • 2.2x lower typical power consumption: 45 Watt vs 100 Watt
  • Around 2% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1234 vs 1209
Specifications (specs)
Maximum frequency 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 45 Watt vs 100 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark 1234 vs 1209

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: AMD A8-3870K
CPU 2: AMD Athlon II X2 255

PassMark - Single thread mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
1209
1234
PassMark - CPU mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
2323
1175
Geekbench 4 - Single Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
373
353
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
1172
660
Name AMD A8-3870K AMD Athlon II X2 255
PassMark - Single thread mark 1209 1234
PassMark - CPU mark 2323 1175
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 373 353
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 1172 660
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s) 2.914
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s) 9.482
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s) 0.191
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s) 0.4
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) 3.344
GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Frames) 762
GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Frames) 1721
GFXBench 4.0 - Car Chase Offscreen (Fps) 762
GFXBench 4.0 - Manhattan (Fps) 1721

Compare specifications (specs)

AMD A8-3870K AMD Athlon II X2 255

Essentials

Architecture codename Llano Regor
Launch date December 2011 January 2010
Place in performance rating 2549 2555
Vertical segment Desktop Desktop
Family AMD Athlon Processors
Launch price (MSRP) $60
OPN PIB AD255EHDGMBOX
OPN Tray AD255EHDK23GM
Price now $65.22
Series AMD Athlon II X2
Value for money (0-100) 8.34

Performance

64 bit support
Die size 228 mm 117 mm
L1 cache 128 KB (per core) 256 KB
L2 cache 1024 KB (per core) 2 MB
Manufacturing process technology 32 nm 45 nm
Maximum frequency 3 GHz 3.1 GHz
Number of cores 4 2
Transistor count 1178 million 410 million
Unlocked
Base frequency 3.1 GHz
Maximum core temperature 72°C
Number of threads 2

Memory

Supported memory types DDR3 DDR3

Compatibility

Max number of CPUs in a configuration 1 1
Sockets supported FM1 AM3
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 100 Watt 45 Watt

Virtualization

AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)