AMD A8-6500B

The AMD A8-6500B is a quad-core desktop processor from the Richland generation, built on a 32nm process. With a 65W TDP and integrated Radeon HD 8570D graphics, it targets basic computing and light multimedia. Benchmark data places it at the 19th percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 732, indicating a low-end part that is best suited for legacy or entry-level systems.

Who Should Consider It

The A8-6500B’s Geekbench scores—452 single-core and 1011 multi-core—are modest by modern standards. The 19th percentile ranking means it outperforms only a small fraction of all processors. For basic office productivity, such as word processing, spreadsheet management, and web browsing, these scores are sufficient. The integrated Radeon HD 8570D graphics provide a display output without requiring a discrete GPU, which makes this chip a candidate for low-cost desktops or home-theater PCs where 3D gaming is not a priority. The base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz offer a decent frequency range, but the Piledriver architecture’s low instructions-per-clock means that even those frequencies cannot compensate for the dated design. For content creation, video editing, or any workload that leverages multiple threads heavily, the 4-core/4-thread configuration with a multi-core score of 1011 will quickly become a bottleneck. Gamers should look elsewhere; even light gaming will be constrained by the integrated graphics, and the CPU’s overall performance is far below what modern titles demand. This processor is best viewed as a stopgap for an existing FM2 motherboard or a very entry-level build for non-demanding tasks. It is not suitable for professional applications, heavy multitasking, or any workload that requires sustained multi-threaded throughput.

Power and Thermals

The A8-6500B carries a 65W TDP, placing it in a low-power class. This means a standard air cooler is entirely adequate; no liquid cooling or oversized heatsink is required. The 32nm process from GlobalFoundries contributes to this modest power envelope. The die size is 246 mm² and the processor contains 1,303 million transistors, but the power draw remains manageable. Because the multiplier is locked, users cannot overclock, which also keeps thermals predictable. The 65W rating suggests that even a small form-factor system can accommodate this chip without special thermal considerations. For a system builder, this simplifies cooling choices—any reasonably sized air cooler designed for a 65W TDP will suffice. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means there is no headroom for enthusiast overclocking, so the thermal solution does not need to handle extra heat from voltage increases. The 32nm process is relatively mature, and while it is not as efficient as newer nodes, the low TDP ensures that heat output is minimal. In practice, the processor will run cool under typical office loads, and only under sustained full-core stress will temperatures rise noticeably, but still within the range of a standard cooler.

Platform and Compatibility

The A8-6500B uses the AMD Socket FM2, which was a mainstream desktop platform in its era. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. This is a mature memory standard, and dual-channel operation is essential to get the most out of the integrated graphics, which shares system memory. The processor does not support ECC memory, so it is not intended for server or workstation use. PCIe Gen 2 is available for discrete graphics or other expansion cards; while not the latest standard, it is sufficient for many peripherals and older graphics cards. The production status is end-of-life, meaning that AMD has discontinued the part, and new motherboards with FM2 sockets are no longer manufactured. The upgrade path is effectively limited to other FM2 processors, but given the age of the platform, there are no significant performance upgrades available within that socket. For anyone building a new system today, this CPU is not a forward-looking choice; it is only relevant for those who already own an FM2 motherboard or require a drop-in replacement. The lack of ECC support and the older PCIe generation further limit its applicability in modern environments. The memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s is adequate for the integrated graphics but will constrain any discrete GPU that relies on PCIe Gen 2, though the impact is negligible for low-end cards.

How It Compares

The A8-6500B’s average benchmark score of 732 places it in a tight cluster with four rivals. Against the Intel Celeron 7305, it is 0.1% higher—a statistically negligible difference, meaning the two are effectively tied in overall performance. The Celeron 7305 is a low-end mobile part, so this parity underscores the A8-6500B’s limited capabilities. The same 0.1% advantage applies to the Intel Core i7-860S, a much older quad-core desktop chip from 2009; the A8-6500B matches it despite being several years newer, highlighting the lack of architectural progress in this segment. The AMD A8 PRO-7600B is the only rival that leads, with the A8-6500B trailing by 0.3%. This is a small margin, but it does indicate that the PRO version offers a slight edge, likely due to a higher bin or minor clock differences. Finally, the Intel Core i5-3210M, a mobile dual-core with hyper-threading, sits 0.4% behind the A8-6500B. The i5-3210M has two physical cores but four threads, so the A8-6500B’s four physical cores give it a slight multi-threaded advantage. These deltas are all under half a percentage point, so any of these processors would deliver nearly identical real-world performance in most applications. The A8-6500B does not decisively beat or lose to any of these chips; it occupies the same performance tier as all four. For a user deciding among these, the choice would come down to platform features (such as socket and integrated graphics) rather than raw performance.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Geekbench single-core score is 452, while the multi-core score is 1011. The multi-core result is more than double the single-core score, which suggests that the four physical cores scale reasonably well when all are utilized. However, the absolute scores are low; even the multi-core figure is below what many modern dual-core processors achieve. The processor has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading (SMT). This limits its ability to handle heavily threaded workloads compared to CPUs with hyper-threading. For single-threaded tasks, the 452 score indicates that the chip will feel sluggish in applications that rely on per-core performance, such as older games or certain productivity tools. The boost clock of 4.10 GHz helps, but the Piledriver architecture is dated. In multi-threaded scenarios, the chip can utilize all four cores, but the lack of SMT and the low IPC of the architecture mean that it still trails more modern designs. For mixed workloads, the processor will exhibit inconsistent performance—acceptable for light multitasking, but frustrating for anything that demands sustained multi-core throughput. The base clock of 3.50 GHz is the floor, and the boost clock of 4.10 GHz is only reached under light single-thread loads, so users will often see performance closer to the base frequency. The gap between single- and multi-core scores is typical for a quad-core without SMT, but the low absolute numbers mean that even the multi-core advantage is insufficient for demanding applications.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD A8-6500B use?

A: It uses AMD Socket FM2.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It includes a Radeon HD 8570D integrated graphics solution.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked.

Q: What is the production status of this processor?

A: It is end-of-life.

Q: What type of memory does it support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Benchmark Performance

In the Geekbench multi-core test, the A8-6500B scores 1011, while its single-core score is 452. These are the only direct benchmark results available. The average benchmark score, which aggregates multiple tests, is 732. This places the processor at the 19th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it is in the lower fifth of the performance distribution. When compared to its nearest rivals, the deltas are all within 0.4%. Specifically, the A8-6500B is 0.1% faster than the Intel Celeron 7305 and the Intel Core i7-860S, 0.4% faster than the Intel Core i5-3210M, and 0.3% slower than the AMD A8 PRO-7600B. These margins are so small that they are unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use. The A8-6500B’s performance is effectively identical to that of these four competitors, which all fall within a narrow band from 729 to 735 average score. The 19th percentile ranking underscores that this is a low-end desktop processor. The multi-core score of 1011 is more than double the single-core score of 452, indicating that the four cores provide some benefit, but the absolute numbers are too low for demanding applications. The single-core score of 452 is particularly telling; it means that even basic tasks that rely on a single thread will be slower than on most modern CPUs. The average benchmark score of 732, combined with the 19th percentile, suggests that the A8-6500B is suitable only for the most basic computing needs, such as web browsing, document editing, and legacy software. In summary, the A8-6500B is a legacy part that delivers baseline performance, and its benchmark results confirm that it should not be considered for any workload beyond entry-level usage.