A4-3305M vs Athlon II X3 445

AMD

A4-3305M

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon II X3 445

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2010
Similar parts
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A4-3305M vs Athlon II X3 445 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.

A4-3305M vs Athlon II X3 445 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.

A4-3305M vs Athlon II X3 445: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-3305M

2011

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • 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 6480G, while Athlon II X3 445 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Athlon II X3 445

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,807 vs 1,812).
    • Launch MSRP is still $87 MSRP, while A4-3305M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
    • No integrated graphics, while A4-3305M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is A4-3305M better than Athlon II X3 445?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X3 445 is ahead with 24% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A4-3305M pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-3305M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    A4-3305M is still the much better call for a fresh build. A4-3305M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $87 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Athlon II X3 445 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?
    A4-3305M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    A4-3305M vs Athlon II X3 445 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    A4-3305M

    The A4-3305M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,812 points. Launch price was $50.

    AMD

    Athlon II X3 445

    The Athlon II X3 445 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 1,807 points. Launch price was $91.

    Processing Power

    The A4-3305M packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 445 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 445 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A4-3305M versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X3 445 — a 21.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 445 (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The A4-3305M uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X3 445 uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A4-3305M scores 1,812 against the Athlon II X3 445's 1,807 — a 0.3% lead for the A4-3305M. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureA4-3305MAthlon II X3 445
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    3 / 3+50%
    Boost Clock
    2.5 GHz
    3.1 GHz+24%
    Base Clock
    1.9 GHz
    3.1 GHz+63%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    512K (per core)
    512 kB (per core)
    Process
    32 nm-29%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Llano (2011−2012)
    Rana (2009−2011)
    PassMark
    1,812
    1,807
    Geekbench 6 Single
    276
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The A4-3305M uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X3 445 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X3 445 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (A4-3305M) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 445) — the A4-3305M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

    FeatureA4-3305MAthlon II X3 445
    Socket
    FS1
    AM3
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1333
    DDR3-1333
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    32 GB+100%
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    0
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-3305M) / not specified (Athlon II X3 445). The A4-3305M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6480G), while the Athlon II X3 445 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-3305M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A4-3305M rivals Pentium B950.

    FeatureA4-3305MAthlon II X3 445
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    No
    IGPU Model
    Radeon HD 6480G
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Budget Laptop