Athlon 64 FX-60 vs Core i5-430M
Athlon 64 FX-60
Core i5-430M
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 Athlon 64 FX-60 is positioned at rank 1119 and the Core i5-430M is on rank 12, so the Core i5-430M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-60
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-430M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon 64 FX-60 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,000) | ✅ More affordable ($33) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Toledo (2006) / 90 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon 64 FX-60 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2943%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,000) | ✅ More affordable ($33) |
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 Athlon 64 FX-60 and Core i5-430M
Athlon 64 FX-60
The Athlon 64 FX-60 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toledo (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,205 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-430M
The Core i5-430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 1,210 points. Launch price was $79.
Processing Power
The Athlon 64 FX-60 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-430M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-60 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-60. The Athlon 64 FX-60 uses the Toledo (2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i5-430M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 FX-60 scores 1,205 against the Core i5-430M's 1,210 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-430M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 350, a 33.3% lead for the Core i5-430M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 480 vs 750 (43.9% advantage for the Core i5-430M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-60 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M.
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-60 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+3% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2.26 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 90 nm | 32 nm-64% |
| Architecture | Toledo (2006) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,205 | 1,210 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 250 | 350+40% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 480 | 750+56% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon 64 FX-60 uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR-400 on the Athlon 64 FX-60 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-430M — the Core i5-430M supports -203% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-430M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 FX-60) vs 16 (Core i5-430M) — the Core i5-430M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: nForce4,K8T890 (Athlon 64 FX-60) and HM55 (Core i5-430M).
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-60 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | 939 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR-400 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon 64 FX-60 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: None (Athlon 64 FX-60) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Athlon 64 FX-60 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 64 FX-60 targets Gaming/Enthusiast, Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-60 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | None | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Gaming/Enthusiast | Performance Laptop |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($1000 vs $33), the Core i5-430M is $967 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 FX-60 delivers 1.2 pts/$ vs 36.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-430M — making the Core i5-430M the 187.3% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-60 | Core i5-430M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1031 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1000 | $33-97% |
| Performance per Dollar | 1.2 | 36.7+2958% |
| Release Date | 2006 | 2010 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon 64 FX-60 and Core i5-430M
