A10-4600M vs Athlon II X3 460

AMD

A10-4600M

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon II X3 460

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011
Similar parts
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A10-4600M vs Athlon II X3 460 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A10-4600M vs Athlon II X3 460 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A10-4600M vs Athlon II X3 460: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A10-4600M

2012

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7660G, while Athlon II X3 460 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (342 vs 384).
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (916 vs 944).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X3 460.

Athlon II X3 460

2011

Why buy it

  • +12.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike A10-4600M.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $87 MSRP, while A10-4600M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A10-4600M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X3 460 better than A10-4600M?
Yes. Athlon II X3 460 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.9% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X3 460 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 460 is the stronger fit. You are getting 3.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X3 460 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X3 460 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $87 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A10-4600M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A10-4600M vs Athlon II X3 460 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

A10-4600M

The A10-4600M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,948 points. Launch price was $130.

AMD

Athlon II X3 460

The Athlon II X3 460 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,965 points. Launch price was $50.

Processing Power

The A10-4600M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X3 460 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the A10-4600M has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the A10-4600M versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon II X3 460 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 460 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The A10-4600M uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X3 460 uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A10-4600M scores 1,948 against the Athlon II X3 460's 1,965 — a 0.9% lead for the Athlon II X3 460. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 342 vs 384, a 11.6% lead for the Athlon II X3 460 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 916 vs 944 (3% advantage for the Athlon II X3 460). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureA10-4600MAthlon II X3 460
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+33%
3 / 3
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
3.4 GHz+48%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
4 MB (total)+700%
512 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Trinity (2012−2013)
Rana (2009−2011)
PassMark
1,948
1,965
Geekbench 6 Single
342
384+12%
Geekbench 6 Multi
916
944+3%
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Memory & Platform

The A10-4600M uses the FS1r2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X3 460 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A10-4600M versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 460 — the A10-4600M supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A10-4600M) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 460) — the A10-4600M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A70M (A10-4600M) and 760G,770,785G,790FX,870,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Athlon II X3 460).

FeatureA10-4600MAthlon II X3 460
Socket
FS1r2
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600+20%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
0
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A10-4600M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7660G), while the Athlon II X3 460 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-4600M targets Legacy Laptop, Athlon II X3 460 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A10-4600M rivals Core i3-2310M.

FeatureA10-4600MAthlon II X3 460
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 7660G
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Legacy Laptop
Budget