Name: Intel Pentium A1020
Brand: Intel

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Pentium A1020

Overall score

4.8

Hide

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

6.6

Hide

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

Intel

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

N/A

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

4.8

Hide

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

4.8

Hide

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

2.7

Hide

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

7.3

Hide

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

6.4

Hide

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

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

Intel Pentium A1020 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Pentium A1020 better than the average processor?

Hide

77.8% lower base power
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (10 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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (10 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.10 W vs 45 W
84.4% lower boost power
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (10 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (10 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.10 W vs 64 W
5 °C higher TJ Max
Intel Pentium A1020 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
Intel Pentium A1020 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
77.8% lower TDP
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower TDP than the average processor (10 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower TDP than the average processor (10 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.10 W vs 45 W
96.6% higher GPU clock speed
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher integrated GPU frequency than the average processor (688 MHz vs 350 MHz). The average processor has integrated GPU frequency of 350 MHz.
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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher integrated GPU frequency than the average processor (688 MHz vs 350 MHz). The average processor has integrated GPU frequency of 350 MHz.688 MHz vs 350 MHz
96.6% higher GPU clock speed
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher integrated GPU frequency than the average processor (688 MHz vs 350 MHz). The average processor has integrated GPU frequency of 350 MHz.
77.8% lower base power
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower base power draw than the average processor (10 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
84.4% lower boost power
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (10 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
5 °C higher TJ Max
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher TJ Max than the average processor (105 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor has a TJ Max of 100 °C.
77.8% lower TDP
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower TDP than the average processor (10 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.

Total

Integrated Graphics

Power & Thermal

Why is Intel Pentium A1020 worse than the average processor?

Hide

Narrower instruction support
Intel Pentium A1020 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
Older CPU socket
Intel Pentium A1020 uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,170 vs FP2).
4 year/s older release date
Intel Pentium A1020 has an older release date than the average processor (2,016 vs 2,020).
January 2016
71.8% weaker single-core performance
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (699 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
37.2% lower boost clock
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
88.9% lower PassMark score
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,167 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
2 fewer CPU cores
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
No multithreading support
Intel Pentium A1020 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
4 fewer CPU threads
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
1 fewer threads per core
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
No Turbo Boost
Intel Pentium A1020 does not support Turbo Boost, the average processor does.
83.3% larger process node
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher process node than the average processor (22 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
66.7% smaller L1 cache
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (128 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
20% smaller L2 cache
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (2 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
Less advanced foundry
Intel Pentium A1020 uses a less advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 22 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
53.5% lower memory bandwidth
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (21.3 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
12 fewer PCIe lanes
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (4 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
54.6% lower memory speed
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (1,333 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
Older PCIe version
Intel Pentium A1020 supports an older PCIe version than the average processor (2 vs 3.0).
Older DDR support
Intel Pentium A1020 supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L vs DDR4).
87.5% less memory capacity
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (8 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
Limited PCIe bifurcation
Intel Pentium A1020 supports less flexible PCIe bifurcation than the average processor (x4, x2/x2, x1/x1/x1/x1 vs x16, x8/x8).
Narrower media codec support
Intel Pentium A1020 supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
50% fewer GPU execution units
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer GPU execution units than the average processor (12 vs 24). The average processor has 24 GPU execution units.
No configurable TDP
Intel Pentium A1020 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
5 °C higher CPU temperature
Intel Pentium A1020 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.
71.8% weaker single-core performance
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (699 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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (699 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.699 vs 2,483
37.2% lower boost clock
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.7 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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.2.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
88.9% lower PassMark score
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,167 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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (1,167 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.1,167 vs 10,532.5
83.3% larger process node
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher process node than the average processor (22 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
Intel Pentium A1020 has a higher process node than the average processor (22 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.22 nm vs 12 nm
2 fewer CPU cores
Intel Pentium A1020 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+
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
No multithreading support
Intel Pentium A1020 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.
Importance: HIGH
Intel Pentium A1020 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
Narrower instruction support
Intel Pentium A1020 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Intel Pentium A1020 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
12 fewer PCIe lanes
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (4 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
What it is: The number of PCIe lanes provided directly by the processor.
When it matters: When you connect fast GPUs, SSDs, or expansion cards.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=20
Intel Pentium A1020 has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (4 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.4 vs 16

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Pentium A1020?

Excellent energy efficiency with a low 10W Thermal Design Power (TDP)
Highly reliable for long-term use, with some users reporting over 11 years of stable performance
Runs cool and generates very little heat, even under consistent use
Fulfills basic functions well for daily tasks like web browsing, school work, and office applications
Includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card for basic use
Features 4 physical cores, which helps with basic multitasking compared to dual-core entry-level chips

What customers dislike about Intel Pentium A1020?

Poor performance in modern or intensive gaming; mostly limited to low-end titles like Roblox
Outdated 22nm architecture that is no longer competitive with contemporary processors
Low maximum memory support, capped at 8GB of DDR3L RAM
Lacks hyper-threading/multithreading technology, which limits potential processing efficiency
Weak benchmark results compared to newer i3 or i5 models, particularly in single-thread performance
Limited to older connectivity standards like PCIe 2.0 and USB 3.0/2.0

Expert reviews

browser.geekbench.com

12/01/2020

Intel Pentium A1020 Benchmarks - Geekbench Browser

The Intel Pentium A1020 is a 22nm Bay Trail mobile processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, and a 2.41 GHz base frequency, specifically designed for budget, fanless devices with a 10W TDP. Performance is suited for basic tasks, though it lacks modern capabilities, providing low scores on Geekbench 6 and struggling with demanding applications, say Versus. Key pros include energy efficiency...Read more

valid.x86.fr

01/02/2026

CPU-Z Benchmark for Intel Pentium A1020 (Single-Thread)

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D (8-core, Zen 3) in CPU-Z benchmark records a 542 single-thread score and ~5,624 multi-thread score, positioning it as a strong AM4 platform upgrade. Pros include exceptional value, leveraging 3D V-Cache (96MB L3) for competitive gaming performance within 6-10% of the 5800X3D while avoiding a costly platform switch. Cons involve lower 4.1GHz boost clocks...Read more

cpubenchmark.net

28/03/2024

Intel Pentium A1020 @ 2.41GHz - CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Pentium A1020 @ 2.41GHz is a 22nm Bay Trail, quad-core mobile processor with a 10W TDP. It provides low-power performance suitable for basic computing, supporting DDR3L memory and Intel HD Graphics. However, its limited architecture, lacking Hyper-Threading and suffering from low single-thread speeds, makes it obsolete for modern multitasking or gaming, resulting in a low...Read more

Intel Pentium A1020 Review | 78 Data compared

Best prices in UK

Best prices in US

Best rankings

Verdict

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Pentium A1020

Intel Pentium A1020 vs the average processor

Why is Intel Pentium A1020 better than the average processor?

Why is Intel Pentium A1020 worse than the average processor?

Graphic comparison of Intel Pentium A1020 and other processors

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Pentium A1020?

What customers dislike about Intel Pentium A1020?

Expert reviews

Best alternatives

Compare Intel Pentium A1020 with other processors