Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II M320

CPU

GPU

Athlon 5350

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.05 GHz2014

Similar parts

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Athlon II M320

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2009

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Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II M320 Performance Spectrum

Athlon 5350

4 / 4

1,796

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II M320

2 / 2

1,795

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II M320 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.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II M320: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 5350

2014

Why buy it

✅+18.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 23.9 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3 Graphics, while Athlon II M320 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (708 vs 1,955).
❌2400% higher power demand at 25W vs 1W.

Athlon II M320

2009

Why buy it

✅+176.1% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 1W instead of 25W, a 24W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (188 vs 223).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.9 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Athlon 5350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon 5350.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 5350 better than Athlon II M320?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon 5350 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II M320 pulls ahead with 176.1% better Geekbench multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II M320 is the stronger fit. You are getting 176.1% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Athlon 5350 is the better buy right now. Athlon 5350 comes in $20 cheaper on MSRP at $55 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon II M320 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 176.1% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 36.4% better value on MSRP (32.7 vs 23.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Athlon 5350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II M320 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon 5350

The Athlon 5350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.05 GHz, with boost up to 2.05 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,796 points. Launch price was $149.

Athlon II M320

The Athlon II M320 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Caspian (2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g3. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,795 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Athlon 5350 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II M320 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon 5350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.05 GHz on the Athlon 5350 versus 2.1 GHz on the Athlon II M320 — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II M320. The Athlon 5350 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon II M320 uses Caspian (2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 5350 scores 1,796 against the Athlon II M320's 1,795 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon 5350. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 223 vs 188, a 17% lead for the Athlon 5350 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 708 vs 1,955 (93.7% advantage for the Athlon II M320).

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II M320
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.05 GHz	2.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.05 GHz	—
L2 Cache	2048 kB+100%	1 MB
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Kabini (2013−2014)	Caspian (2009)
PassMark	1,796	1,795
Geekbench 6 Single	223+19%	188
Geekbench 6 Multi	708	1,955+176%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon 5350 uses the AM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II M320 uses S1g3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Athlon 5350 versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon II M320 — the Athlon 5350 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 5350 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon 5350) vs 2 (Athlon II M320). PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 5350) vs 0 (Athlon II M320) — the Athlon 5350 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM1 (Athlon 5350) and Socket S1g3 (Athlon II M320).

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II M320
Socket	AM1	S1g3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+100%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon 5350) vs AMD-V (Athlon II M320). The Athlon 5350 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3 Graphics), while the Athlon II M320 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II M320 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Athlon 5350 rivals Pentium J2900; Athlon II M320 rivals Core 2 Duo T6400.

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II M320
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R3 Graphics	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Legacy Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 5350 was priced at $55, while the Athlon II M320 came in at $75. On launch pricing ($55 vs $75), Athlon 5350 was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 5350 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 23.9 pts/$ for the Athlon II M320 — making the Athlon 5350 the 30.8% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II M320
MSRP	$55-27%	$75
Performance per Dollar	32.7+37%	23.9
Release Date	2014	2009

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