I personally prefer the A8 over the i3 because of its graphics. Chances are that its GPU is easily on par with whatever the i3 is paired with, if anything at all, and the Passmark scores dont factor in graphics performance, if I remember correctly. The i3 may be a slightly faster processor, but the A8 is a better overall package. Plus, it's a true quad core, instead of a dual core hyperthreaded to a quad... not that it matters, but I like the thought of it.
That's just my opinion on the whole thing. Take it for what it's worth.