CPU
GPU
Athlon II X2 255
Core i3-380M
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 II X2 255 is positioned at rank 793 and the Core i3-380M is on rank 11, so the Core i3-380M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 255
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-380M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 255 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 255 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+150%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
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 II X2 255 and Core i3-380M
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 i3-380M
The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 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: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X2 255 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-380M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X2 255 versus 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M — a 141.6% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 255 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Athlon II X2 255 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-380M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 255 scores 1,210 against the Core i3-380M's 1,212 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-380M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 265 vs 450, a 51.7% lead for the Core i3-380M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 1,100 (75% advantage for the Core i3-380M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 255 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 255 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+485% | 0.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+23% | 2.53 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,210 | 1,212 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 265 | 450+70% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 500 | 1,100+120% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 255 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-380M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X2 255 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 255) vs 16 (Core i3-380M) — the Core i3-380M 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 HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i3-380M).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 255 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 255) vs VT-x (Core i3-380M). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Athlon II X2 255 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 255 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 255 rivals Pentium E5700; Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 255 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Legacy Laptop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 255 launched at $60 MSRP, while the Core i3-380M debuted at $49. At current prices ($10 vs $25), the Athlon II X2 255 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 255 delivers 121.0 pts/$ vs 48.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-380M — making the Athlon II X2 255 the 85.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 255 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60 | $49-18% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-60% | $25 |
| Performance per Dollar | 121.0+149% | 48.5 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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