Athlon II X2 265 vs Core i5-460M

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X2 265

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Core i5-460M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

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Athlon II X2 265 vs Core i5-460M Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 265

2 / 2

1,324

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-460M

2 / 4

1,321

0.0%

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 265 vs Core i5-460M 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 265 vs Core i5-460M: 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 265

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-460M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (275 vs 343).
❌
3.8% HIGHER MSRP
$83 MSRPvs$80 MSRP
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-460M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-460M

2010

Why buy it

✅+24.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $3 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $83 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon II X2 265 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,321 vs 1,324).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 265.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-460M better than Athlon II X2 265?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-460M is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 265 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 265 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-460M is the better buy right now. Core i5-460M comes in $3 cheaper on MSRP at $80 MSRP versus $83 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon II X2 265 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 3.5% better value on MSRP (16.5 vs 16.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-460M is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Athlon II X2 265 vs Core i5-460M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X2 265

The Athlon II X2 265 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,324 points. Launch price was $83.

Core i5-460M

The Core i5-460M 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 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,321 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 265 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-460M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Athlon II X2 265 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-460M — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 265 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Athlon II X2 265 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-460M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 265 scores 1,324 against the Core i5-460M's 1,321 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X2 265. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 275 vs 343, a 22% lead for the Core i5-460M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 265 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-460M.

Feature	Athlon II X2 265	Core i5-460M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+30%	2.53 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)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,324	1,321
Geekbench 6 Single	275	343+25%
Geekbench 6 Multi	520	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 265 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-460M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X2 265 versus 1066 on the Core i5-460M — the Athlon II X2 265 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 265 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 265) vs 16 (Core i5-460M) — the Core i5-460M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 760G,780G,785G,790GX,870,880G,890GX,890FX (Athlon II X2 265) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-460M).

Feature	Athlon II X2 265	Core i5-460M
Socket	AM3	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333+25%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 265) vs true (Core i5-460M). The Core i5-460M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon II X2 265 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 265 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 265 rivals Pentium E6700; Core i5-460M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Athlon II X2 265	Core i5-460M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 265 was priced at $83, while the Core i5-460M came in at $80. On launch pricing ($83 vs $80), Core i5-460M was $3 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 265 delivers 16.0 pts/$ vs 16.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-460M — making the Core i5-460M the 3.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 265	Core i5-460M
MSRP	$83	$80-4%
Performance per Dollar	16.0	16.5+3%
Release Date	2010	2010

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