Athlon II X2 255 vs Core i3-2310M

Athlon II X2 255 vs Core i3-2310M Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 255

2 / 2

1,210

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-2310M

2 / 4

1,222

+1.0%

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 II X2 255 vs Core i3-2310M 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 II X2 255 vs Core i3-2310M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II X2 255

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i3-2310M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (265 vs 350).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 658).
❌Launch MSRP is still $60 MSRP, while Core i3-2310M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2310M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-2310M

2011

Why buy it

✅+32.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Athlon II X2 255 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 255.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2310M better than Athlon II X2 255?

Yes. Core i3-2310M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 31.6% better Geekbench multi-core, 1.0% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-2310M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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, Core i3-2310M is the stronger fit. You are getting 31.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-2310M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-2310M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 255 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

Core i3-2310M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X2 255 vs Core i3-2310M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X2 255

The Athlon II X2 255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,210 points. Launch price was $60.

Core i3-2310M

The Core i3-2310M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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: 1,222 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 255 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2310M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X2 255 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2310M — a 38.5% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 255 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Athlon II X2 255 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2310M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 255 scores 1,210 against the Core i3-2310M's 1,222 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-2310M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 265 vs 350, a 27.6% lead for the Core i3-2310M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 658 (27.3% advantage for the Core i3-2310M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 255 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2310M.

Feature	Athlon II X2 255	Core i3-2310M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+48%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+48%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,210	1,222
Geekbench 6 Single	265	350+32%
Geekbench 6 Multi	500	658+32%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 255 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2310M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 255) vs 16 (Core i3-2310M) — the Core i3-2310M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 760G,780G,785G,790GX,870,880G,890GX,890FX (Athlon II X2 255) and Sandy Bridge (Core i3-2310M).

Feature	Athlon II X2 255	Core i3-2310M
Socket	AM3	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 255) vs VT-x (Core i3-2310M). The Core i3-2310M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X2 255 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 255 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i3-2310M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 255 rivals Pentium E5700; Core i3-2310M rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.