A10-4600M vs Athlon II X4 605e

AMD

A10-4600M

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon II X4 605e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2009
Similar parts
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A10-4600M vs Athlon II X4 605e 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 X4 605e 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 X4 605e: 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

  • +14% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7660G, while Athlon II X4 605e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (916 vs 1,069).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 605e.

Athlon II X4 605e

2009

Why buy it

  • +16.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (AMD Stock), unlike A10-4600M.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (300 vs 342).
  • Launch MSRP is still $143 MSRP, while A10-4600M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A10-4600M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A10-4600M better than Athlon II X4 605e?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A10-4600M is ahead with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 605e pulls ahead with 16.7% better Geekbench multi-core.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 605e is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
A10-4600M is still the much better call for a fresh build. A10-4600M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X4 605e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.
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 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A10-4600M vs Athlon II X4 605e 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 X4 605e

The Athlon II X4 605e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,964 points. Launch price was $102.

Processing Power

Both the A10-4600M and Athlon II X4 605e share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the A10-4600M versus 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 605e — a 32.7% clock advantage for the A10-4600M (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A10-4600M uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X4 605e uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A10-4600M scores 1,948 against the Athlon II X4 605e's 1,964 — a 0.8% lead for the Athlon II X4 605e. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 342 vs 300, a 13.1% lead for the A10-4600M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 916 vs 1,069 (15.4% advantage for the Athlon II X4 605e). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureA10-4600MAthlon II X4 605e
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz+39%
2.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.3 GHz
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)
Propus (2009−2011)
PassMark
1,948
1,964
Cinebench R23 Multi
1,140
Geekbench 6 Single
342+14%
300
Geekbench 6 Multi
916
1,069+17%
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Memory & Platform

The A10-4600M uses the FS1r2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X4 605e 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 X4 605e — the A10-4600M supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 605e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A70M (A10-4600M) and 760G,785G,790GX,880G,890GX (Athlon II X4 605e).

FeatureA10-4600MAthlon II X4 605e
Socket
FS1r2
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600+20%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
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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 X4 605e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A10-4600M targets Legacy Laptop, Athlon II X4 605e targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A10-4600M rivals Core i3-2310M.

FeatureA10-4600MAthlon II X4 605e
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
Desktop