A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 405e

AMD

A4-6300B

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon II X3 405e

3 Cores3 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2009
Similar parts
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A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 405e 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.

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 405e 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.

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 405e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-6300B

2013

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8370D, while Athlon II X3 405e needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon II X3 405e.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,328 vs 1,331).
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Athlon II X3 405e

2009

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while A4-6300B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • No integrated graphics, while A4-6300B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike A4-6300B.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X3 405e better than A4-6300B?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A4-6300B is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 405e pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 405e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X3 405e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X3 405e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that A4-6300B is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A4-6300B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A4-6300B vs Athlon II X3 405e Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A4-6300B

The A4-6300B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,328 points. Launch price was $50.

AMD

Athlon II X3 405e

The Athlon II X3 405e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 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: 1,331 points. Launch price was $80.

Processing Power

The A4-6300B packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 405e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 405e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the A4-6300B versus 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 405e — a 51.6% clock advantage for the A4-6300B (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The A4-6300B uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X3 405e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A4-6300B scores 1,328 against the Athlon II X3 405e's 1,331 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X3 405e.

FeatureA4-6300BAthlon II X3 405e
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz+70%
2.3 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+61%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB (total)+100%
512 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Richland (2013−2014)
Rana (2009−2011)
PassMark
1,328
1,331
Geekbench 6 Single
415
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Memory & Platform

The A4-6300B uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X3 405e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A4-6300B versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 405e — the A4-6300B supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A4-6300B) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 405e) — the A4-6300B offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A58,A68H,A75,A78,A88X (A4-6300B) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 405e).

FeatureA4-6300BAthlon II X3 405e
Socket
FM2
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600+20%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
0
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-6300B) / not specified (Athlon II X3 405e). The A4-6300B includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8370D), while the Athlon II X3 405e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-6300B targets Business Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-6300B rivals Pentium G3240.

FeatureA4-6300BAthlon II X3 405e
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 8370D
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Business Desktop