A8-5500 vs A6-5400K

[Rhodiebert]

Hi. I'm currently building a PC into a Sega Dreamcast case. Due to some space and money issues I can not mount a dedicated graphics card, so I decided to go with an APU from AMD.

100W TDP would probably be to high for my PSU so I can only use the 65W models.

I was wondering, if an overclocked A6-5400K @ 2x 4 Ghz (oc) could hold up to the more expensive A8-5500 @ 4x 3.2 Ghz.

I know the A8 has a better GPU, but the one in the A6 is sufficient to me, so Im only asking for the CPU performance.

The system will run Windows 7 and generally be used for Internet, some rare video converting and older video games at 720 - 1080p resolution.

Hope you guys can help me decide here.

[fenyal]

there is not a chance that the A6 will hold a candle to the A8 even overclocked. they are of the same trinity line so 4 3.2's will most definitely beat 2 4.0's. it's a matter of math for one thing. 3.2 x 4 = 12.8 VS 4.0 x 2 = 8.0

futher more, the A8 has 4mb of L2 cache whereas the A6 has 1 mb of L2 cache. that alone if everything else was the same would help the A8 win.

in any case personally if i had the cash i would spring the 30 dollars and get the half again stronger cpu. but if you have the A6 on hand.. it "should" (i say should because there are a lot of variables) handle your business.

[debs3759]

For web browsing and older video games you won't be using all the cores, so the A6 will be better for you. The video conversion will use all the cores, so will benefit from the extra cores in the A8.