Athlon II X2 280 vs Core i3-2370M

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X2 280

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2013

Similar parts

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Core i3-2370M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012

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Athlon II X2 280 vs Core i3-2370M Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 280

2 / 2

1,355

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-2370M

2 / 4

1,370

+1.1%

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 280 vs Core i3-2370M 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 280 vs Core i3-2370M: 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 280

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $175 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 345.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.1 vs 6.1 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i3-2370M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (290 vs 412).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (550 vs 711).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2370M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-2370M

2012

Why buy it

✅+42.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅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 3000, while Athlon II X2 280 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.1 vs 27.1 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 280.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2370M better than Athlon II X2 280?

Yes. Core i3-2370M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 29.3% better Geekbench multi-core, and 1.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-2370M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 i3-2370M is the stronger fit. You are getting 29.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-2370M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-2370M comes in 350.0% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 280 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 345.1% better value on paper (27.1 vs 6.1 PassMark/$), 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?

Athlon II X2 280 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 280 vs Core i3-2370M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X2 280

The Athlon II X2 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 1,355 points. Launch price was $100.

Core i3-2370M

The Core i3-2370M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,370 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 280 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2370M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 280 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-2370M — a 40% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 280 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Athlon II X2 280 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2370M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 280 scores 1,355 against the Core i3-2370M's 1,370 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-2370M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 290 vs 412, a 34.8% lead for the Core i3-2370M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 550 vs 711 (25.5% advantage for the Core i3-2370M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 280 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2370M.

Feature	Athlon II X2 280	Core i3-2370M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+50%	2.4 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	1,355	1,370+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	290	412+42%
Geekbench 6 Multi	550	711+29%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 280 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2370M 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 280) vs 16 (Core i3-2370M) — the Core i3-2370M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 870,880G,890GX,890FX,970,990X,990FX (Athlon II X2 280) and HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i3-2370M).

Feature	Athlon II X2 280	Core i3-2370M
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

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 280) vs VT-x (Core i3-2370M). The Core i3-2370M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X2 280 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 280 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i3-2370M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 280 rivals Pentium E6700.

Feature	Athlon II X2 280	Core i3-2370M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 280 was priced at $50, while the Core i3-2370M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($50 vs $225), Athlon II X2 280 was $175 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 280 delivers 27.1 pts/$ vs 6.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-2370M — making the Athlon II X2 280 the 126.6% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 280	Core i3-2370M
MSRP	$50-78%	$225
Performance per Dollar	27.1+344%	6.1
Release Date	2013	2012

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