Athlon 5370 vs Core 2 Quad Q8300

AMD

Athlon 5370

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Quad Q8300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008
Similar parts
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Athlon 5370 vs Core 2 Quad Q8300 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.

Athlon 5370 vs Core 2 Quad Q8300 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 5370 vs Core 2 Quad Q8300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 5370

2014

Why buy it

  • Costs $124 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
  • Delivers 223.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.7 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3, while Core 2 Quad Q8300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,906 vs 1,917).

Core 2 Quad Q8300

2008

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.7 vs 34.7 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
    • 280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
    • No integrated graphics, while Athlon 5370 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon 5370.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core 2 Quad Q8300 better than Athlon 5370?
    Yes. Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 39 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, Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q8300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core 2 Quad Q8300 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Quad Q8300 comes in 225.5% more expensive on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon 5370 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 223.6% better value on paper (34.7 vs 10.7 PassMark/$), 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 5370 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Athlon 5370 vs Core 2 Quad Q8300 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon 5370

    The Athlon 5370 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 1,906 points. Launch price was $149.

    Intel

    Core 2 Quad Q8300

    The Core 2 Quad Q8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,917 points. Launch price was $249.

    Processing Power

    Both the Athlon 5370 and Core 2 Quad Q8300 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon 5370 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q8300 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon 5370 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 5370 scores 1,906 against the Core 2 Quad Q8300's 1,917 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8300.

    FeatureAthlon 5370Core 2 Quad Q8300
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 4
    4 / 4
    Boost Clock
    2.2 GHz
    2.5 GHz+14%
    Base Clock
    2.2 GHz
    2.5 GHz+14%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    2048 kB
    4 MB (total)+100%
    Process
    28 nm-38%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Kabini (2013−2014)
    Yorkfield (2007−2009)
    PassMark
    1,906
    1,917
    Geekbench 6 Single
    247
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    636
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon 5370 uses the AM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureAthlon 5370Core 2 Quad Q8300
    Socket
    AM1
    LGA775
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    PCIe 1.1
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1600
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    RAM Channels
    1
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    4
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon 5370) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q8300). The Athlon 5370 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3), while the Core 2 Quad Q8300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 5370 targets Budget.

    FeatureAthlon 5370Core 2 Quad Q8300
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Radeon R3
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Budget
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon 5370 was priced at $55, while the Core 2 Quad Q8300 came in at $179. On launch pricing ($55 vs $179), Athlon 5370 was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 5370 delivers 34.7 pts/$ vs 10.7 pts/$ for the Core 2 Quad Q8300 — making the Athlon 5370 the 105.6% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon 5370Core 2 Quad Q8300
    MSRP
    $55-69%
    $179
    Performance per Dollar
    34.7+224%
    10.7
    Release Date
    2014
    2008

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