Name: AMD A8 5550M
Brand: AMD

Technical Specifications of processor AMD A8 5550M

Overall score

3.5

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.

Platform

7.4

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

AMD

Processor type

What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.

When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

CPU socket

What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.

When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

Chipset

What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.

When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

CPU architecture

What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.

When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

Performance

2.8

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N. of physical cores

What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.

When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

CPU threads

What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.

When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

Threads per core

What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.

When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

CPU boost clock speed

What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.

When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

CPU base clock speed

What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.

When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Cache & Architecture

3.6

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Semiconductor size

What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.

When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

Foundry

What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.

When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

L3 cache

What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.

When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

L2 cache

What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.

When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

L1 cache

What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.

When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

Memory & PCIe

4.0

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DDR memory version

What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.

When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

Maximum memory speed

What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.

When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.

When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A

Maximum memory capacity

What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.

When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

Integrated Graphics

7.6

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Integrated graphics

What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.

When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

Integrated GPU model

What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.

When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Integrated GPU execution units

What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.

When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

Integrated GPU base frequency

What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.

When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

Integrated media encoders/decoders

What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.

When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

Power & Thermal

5.6

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TDP (Thermal design power)

What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.

When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

Base power (PL1)

What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.

When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

Boost power (PL2)

What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.

When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

Tau (power duration limit)

What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.

When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

N/A

Configurable TDP

What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.

When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

AMD A8 5550M vs the average processor

Why is AMD A8 5550M better than the average processor?

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2x more L2 per core
AMD A8 5550M has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=1 MB/core
AMD A8 5550M has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
5 °C higher TJ Max
AMD A8 5550M has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
What it is: The highest safe operating junction temperature before the CPU starts throttling or protecting itself.
When it matters: When you tune cooling or monitor thermals under load.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=100 °C
AMD A8 5550M has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.105 °C vs 100 °C
Includes crypto acceleration
AMD A8 5550M includes crypto acceleration, the average processor does not.
What it is: Built-in hardware support for accelerating encryption and cryptographic tasks.
When it matters: When encryption speed or secure workloads matter to you.
Importance: LOW
AMD A8 5550M includes crypto acceleration, the average processor does not.AES, SHA, PCLMULQDQ, RSA/PKA vs AES, SHA
27.78x cheaper
AMD A8 5550M is cheaper than the average processor (£9 vs £250).
AMD A8 5550M is cheaper than the average processor (£9 vs £250).£9 vs £250
22.2% lower base power
AMD A8 5550M has a lower base power draw than the average processor (35 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <30 W
AMD A8 5550M has a lower base power draw than the average processor (35 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.35 W vs 45 W
60% larger L2 cache
AMD A8 5550M has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=6 MB
AMD A8 5550M has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.4 MB vs 2.5 MB
Includes crypto acceleration
AMD A8 5550M includes crypto acceleration, the average processor does not.
2x more L2 per core
AMD A8 5550M has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
60% larger L2 cache
AMD A8 5550M has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
5 °C higher TJ Max
AMD A8 5550M has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
22.2% lower base power
AMD A8 5550M has a lower base power draw than the average processor (35 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.

Why is AMD A8 5550M worse than the average processor?

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7 year/s older release date
AMD A8 5550M has an older release date than the average processor (2,013 vs 2,020).
March 2013
Older CPU socket
AMD A8 5550M uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,168 vs FP2).
Older TPM support
AMD A8 5550M supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0).
59.6% weaker single-core performance
AMD A8 5550M has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,004 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
80.8% lower single-core score
AMD A8 5550M has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (282 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
27.9% lower boost clock
AMD A8 5550M has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
94.1% lower multi-core score
AMD A8 5550M has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (282 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
82.7% lower PassMark score
AMD A8 5550M has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,820 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
2 fewer CPU cores
AMD A8 5550M has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
No multithreading support
AMD A8 5550M does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
4 fewer CPU threads
AMD A8 5550M has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
1 fewer threads per core
AMD A8 5550M has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
37.5% lower bus speed
AMD A8 5550M has a lower bus speed than the average processor (5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.
7 lower clock multiplier
AMD A8 5550M has a lower clock multiplier than the average processor (21 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
2.67x larger process node
AMD A8 5550M has a higher process node than the average processor (32 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
Less advanced microarchitecture
AMD A8 5550M uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Richland vs Kaby Lake).
50% smaller L1 cache
AMD A8 5550M has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (192 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
76.2% fewer transistors
AMD A8 5550M has fewer transistors than the average processor (1.2 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
Less advanced foundry
AMD A8 5550M uses a less advanced foundry process than the average processor (GlobalFoundries 32 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
Older DDR support
AMD A8 5550M supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3 vs DDR4).
44.1% lower memory bandwidth
AMD A8 5550M has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (25.6 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
45.4% lower memory speed
AMD A8 5550M has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (1,600 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
Older PCIe version
AMD A8 5550M supports an older PCIe version than the average processor (2 vs 3.0).
50% less memory capacity
AMD A8 5550M has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
Inferior integrated GPU
AMD A8 5550M uses an inferior integrated GPU to the average processor (Radeon HD 8,550G vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
No configurable TDP
AMD A8 5550M does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
5 °C higher CPU temperature
AMD A8 5550M has a higher CPU temperature than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
59.6% weaker single-core performance
AMD A8 5550M has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,004 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >3200
AMD A8 5550M has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,004 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.1,004 vs 2,483
80.8% lower single-core score
AMD A8 5550M has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (282 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >2000
AMD A8 5550M has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (282 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.282 vs 1,471
27.9% lower boost clock
AMD A8 5550M has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >4.7 GHz
AMD A8 5550M has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.1 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
94.1% lower multi-core score
AMD A8 5550M has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (282 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects multi-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
When it matters: When you want a quick picture of multi-core speed in everyday mixed workloads, multitasking, and broadly optimized software.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >8500
AMD A8 5550M has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (282 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.282 vs 4,793
2.67x larger process node
AMD A8 5550M has a higher process node than the average processor (32 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <10 nm
AMD A8 5550M has a higher process node than the average processor (32 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.32 nm vs 12 nm
82.7% lower PassMark score
AMD A8 5550M has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,820 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >19000
AMD A8 5550M has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,820 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.1,820 vs 10,532.5
Less advanced microarchitecture
AMD A8 5550M uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Richland vs Kaby Lake).
What it is: The internal core-design codename used for this processor generation.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs at a deeper design level and want to identify the exact architecture behind marketing names.
Importance: LOW
AMD A8 5550M uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Richland vs Kaby Lake).Richland vs Kaby Lake
2 fewer CPU cores
AMD A8 5550M has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: 8+
AMD A8 5550M has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6

Third-party reviews

What customers like about AMD A8 5550M?

Capable of handling older or less demanding games (e.g., Left 4 Dead 2, X-COM) at medium settings
Quad-core architecture provides decent multitasking for basic office and web applications
Integrated Radeon HD 8550G graphics are superior to many contemporary entry-level Intel integrated solutions
Hardware virtualization support improves performance for virtual machine users
Relatively low power consumption (35W TDP) suitable for 14-inch or larger laptops
Good value for budget-conscious users looking for legacy or used hardware

What customers dislike about AMD A8 5550M?

Significantly underpowered by modern standards; struggles with current-day software and web browsers
Poor 3D performance for modern gaming; cannot run most demanding titles from the last 8-10 years
Bulldozer-based architecture features shared resources between cores, leading to lower per-clock efficiency
Known to run quite hot in certain laptop chassis under heavy load
Single-threaded performance is weak compared to Intel Core i3/i5 alternatives from the same era
Limited upgrade path as the multiplier is locked and the platform uses older DDR3 memory

Expert reviews

cpubenchmark.net

29/03/2026

AMD A8-5550M APU vs Intel i5-4200U - CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-4200U generally outperforms the AMD A8-5550M, with PassMark data showing a 16-20% higher CPU Mark (2,176 vs 1,824) and superior single-threaded performance despite having only two cores compared to AMD's four. While the A8-5550M offers a higher base clock and better integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8550G), it consumes significantly more power at a 35W TDP compared to...Read more

openbenchmarking.org

Q4 2014

AMD A8-5550M APU Benchmarks, Linux Performance

The AMD A8-5550M is a 2013-era "Richland" quad-core mobile APU (2.1 GHz base, 3.1 GHz boost) designed for budget notebooks, featuring integrated Radeon HD 8550G graphics. A major pro is its 35W TDP, making it suitable for larger laptops, and support for instructions like AVX and AES. However, a key con is its aging Piledriver architecture, which offers lower single-core efficiency...Read more

browser.geekbench.com

12/05/2024

AMD A8-5550M Benchmarks - Geekbench Browser

The AMD A8-5550M is a 2013 Richland-generation, 32nm quad-core laptop processor featuring a 2.1 GHz base clock and Turbo Core technology. Geekbench data indicates modest performance, averaging approximately 282 for single-core and 634 for multi-core tasks. This places its capability alongside older dual-core processors such as the Intel Core i3-2310M. Key strengths include an...Read more

AMD A8-5550M APU - CPU Benchmarks

Released in Q3 2013, the AMD A8-5550M is a 35W "Richland" mobile processor featuring four cores with a 2.1 GHz base and 3.1 GHz turbo clock, along with integrated Radeon HD 8550G graphics that offer entry-level, dedicated-class performance. While suitable for general daily tasks and light multitasking in larger notebooks, its performance is driven by a 4MB L2 cache and support for...Read more

AMD A8 5550M Review | 78 Data compared

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Verdict

Technical Specifications of processor AMD A8 5550M

AMD A8 5550M vs the average processor

Why is AMD A8 5550M better than the average processor?

Why is AMD A8 5550M worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of AMD A8 5550M and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about AMD A8 5550M?

What customers dislike about AMD A8 5550M?

Expert reviews

Best alternatives

Compare AMD A8 5550M with other processors