Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X3 445

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X3 445 Performance Spectrum

Athlon 5350

4 / 4

1,796

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X3 445

3 / 3

1,807

+0.6%

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 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.

Athlon 5350 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.

Athlon 5350

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
✅Delivers 57.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 20.8 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3 Graphics, while Athlon II X3 445 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,796 vs 1,807).

Athlon II X3 445

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.8 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
❌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 II X3 445 better than Athlon 5350?

Yes. Athlon II X3 445 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X3 445 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 445 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Athlon II X3 445 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon II X3 445 comes in 58.2% more expensive on MSRP at $87 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon 5350 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 57.2% better value on paper (32.7 vs 20.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM1.

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 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X3 445 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 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 Athlon 5350 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X3 445 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon 5350 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.05 GHz on the Athlon 5350 versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X3 445 — a 40.8% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 445 (base: 2.05 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Athlon 5350 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon II X3 445 uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 5350 scores 1,796 against the Athlon II X3 445's 1,807 — a 0.6% lead for the Athlon II X3 445.

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II X3 445
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+33%	3 / 3
Boost Clock	2.05 GHz	3.1 GHz+51%
Base Clock	2.05 GHz	3.1 GHz+51%
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Kabini (2013−2014)	Rana (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,796	1,807
Geekbench 6 Single	223	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	708	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 5350 uses the AM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X3 445 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Athlon 5350 versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 445 — the Athlon 5350 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 445 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon 5350) vs 2 (Athlon II X3 445). PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 5350) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 445) — the Athlon 5350 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM1 (Athlon 5350) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 445).

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II X3 445
Socket	AM1	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Athlon 5350) / not specified (Athlon II X3 445). The Athlon 5350 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3 Graphics), while the Athlon II X3 445 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Athlon 5350 rivals Pentium J2900.

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II X3 445
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R3 Graphics	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 5350 was priced at $55, while the Athlon II X3 445 came in at $87. On launch pricing ($55 vs $87), Athlon 5350 was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 5350 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 20.8 pts/$ for the Athlon II X3 445 — making the Athlon 5350 the 44.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 5350	Athlon II X3 445
MSRP	$55-37%	$87
Performance per Dollar	32.7+57%	20.8
Release Date	2014	2010

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