Athlon 5370 vs Core i5-560M

CPU

GPU

Athlon 5370

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2014

Buy on Amazon

Core i5-560M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010

Buy on Amazon

Athlon 5370 vs Core i5-560M Performance Spectrum

Athlon 5370

4 / 4

1,906

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-560M

2 / 4

1,894

0.0%

Celeron Dual-Core T1700

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 i5-560M 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 i5-560M: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 311.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 34.7 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 35W, a 10W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-560M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (636 vs 950).

Core i5-560M

2010

Why buy it

✅+49.4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon 5370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.4 vs 34.7 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
❌40% higher power demand at 35W vs 25W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon 5370.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 5370 better than Core i5-560M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon 5370 is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560M pulls ahead with 49.4% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560M is the stronger fit. You are getting 49.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon 5370 is the better buy right now. Athlon 5370 comes in $170 cheaper on MSRP at $55 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-560M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 49.4% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 311.7% better value on MSRP (34.7 vs 8.4 PassMark/$), 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 5370 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 5370 vs Core i5-560M Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-560M

The Core i5-560M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,894 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon 5370 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-560M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon 5370 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon 5370 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-560M — a 37% clock advantage for the Core i5-560M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Athlon 5370 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-560M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 5370 scores 1,906 against the Core i5-560M's 1,894 — a 0.6% lead for the Athlon 5370. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 247 vs 450, a 58.2% lead for the Core i5-560M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 636 vs 950 (39.6% advantage for the Core i5-560M).

Feature	Athlon 5370	Core i5-560M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.2 GHz+45%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.66 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Kabini (2013−2014)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,906	1,894
Geekbench 6 Single	247	450+82%
Geekbench 6 Multi	636	950+49%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 5370 uses the AM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-560M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Athlon 5370 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-560M — the Athlon 5370 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 5370 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon 5370) vs 2 (Core i5-560M). PCIe lanes: 4 (Athlon 5370) vs 16 (Core i5-560M) — the Core i5-560M offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM1,A50M (Athlon 5370) and HM55,HM57,PM55,QM57 (Core i5-560M).

Feature	Athlon 5370	Core i5-560M
Socket	AM1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 5370) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-560M). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon R3 (Athlon 5370) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Core i5-560M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 5370 targets Budget, Core i5-560M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-560M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.

Feature	Athlon 5370	Core i5-560M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Radeon R3	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 5370 was priced at $55, while the Core i5-560M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($55 vs $225), Athlon 5370 was $170 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 5370 delivers 34.7 pts/$ vs 8.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-560M — making the Athlon 5370 the 121.8% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 5370	Core i5-560M
MSRP	$55-76%	$225
Performance per Dollar	34.7+313%	8.4
Release Date	2014	2010

Search Athlon 5370 on Amazon

Search Core i5-560M on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.