CPU
GPU
A6-6310
Core i7-2617M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A6-6310 is positioned at rank 735 and the Core i7-2617M is on rank 287, so the Core i7-2617M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A6-6310
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2617M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-6310 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Beema (2014) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-6310 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A6-6310 and Core i7-2617M
A6-6310
The A6-6310 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Beema (2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1865. Passmark benchmark score: 1,676 points. Launch price was $70.
Core i7-2617M
The Core i7-2617M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,687 points. Launch price was $100.
Processing Power
The A6-6310 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2617M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the A6-6310 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-6310 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-2617M — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2617M (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The A6-6310 uses the Beema (2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-2617M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6-6310 scores 1,676 against the Core i7-2617M's 1,687 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-2617M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 220 vs 448, a 68.3% lead for the Core i7-2617M that directly translates to higher frame rates.
| Feature | A6-6310 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz+20% | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2048 kB+300% | 512 kB |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Beema (2014) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,676 | 1,687 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 220 | 448+104% |
Memory & Platform
The A6-6310 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2617M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1866 memory speed. The A6-6310 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A6-6310) vs 2 (Core i7-2617M). PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-6310) vs 16 (Core i7-2617M) — the Core i7-2617M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | A6-6310 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FT3 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1866 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 16+100% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A6-6310) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2617M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R4 (A6-6310) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2617M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-6310 targets Entry Laptop, Core i7-2617M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: A6-6310 rivals Pentium N3530; Core i7-2617M rivals A6-3400M.
| Feature | A6-6310 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon R4 | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Entry Laptop | Ultrabook |
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