Athlon II X3 400e vs Core i5-480M

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X3 400e

3 Cores3 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

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Core i5-480M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2011

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Athlon II X3 400e vs Core i5-480M Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X3 400e

3 / 3

1,320

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-480M

2 / 4

1,327

+0.5%

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 X3 400e vs Core i5-480M 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 X3 400e vs Core i5-480M: 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 X3 400e

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,320 vs 1,327).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.2 vs 16.4 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-480M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-480M

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $19 less on MSRP ($81 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.4 vs 13.2 PassMark/$ ($81 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W 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 X3 400e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-480M better than Athlon II X3 400e?

Yes. Core i5-480M 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, 0.5% better 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 i5-480M 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 i5-480M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-480M is the better buy right now. Core i5-480M comes in $19 cheaper on MSRP at $81 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.1% better value on MSRP (16.4 vs 13.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-480M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X3 400e vs Core i5-480M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X3 400e

The Athlon II X3 400e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,320 points. Launch price was $107.

Core i5-480M

The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X3 400e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i5-480M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X3 400e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II X3 400e versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M — a 28.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Athlon II X3 400e uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-480M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 400e scores 1,320 against the Core i5-480M's 1,327 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-480M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 400e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-480M.

Feature	Athlon II X3 400e	Core i5-480M
Cores / Threads	3 / 3+50%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.93 GHz+33%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.66 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Rana (2009−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,320	1,327

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X3 400e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-480M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 400e versus 1066 on the Core i5-480M — the Athlon II X3 400e supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 400e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X3 400e) vs 16 (Core i5-480M) — the Core i5-480M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 400e) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-480M).

Feature	Athlon II X3 400e	Core i5-480M
Socket	AM3	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333+25%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X3 400e) / true (Core i5-480M). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon II X3 400e requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Athlon II X3 400e	Core i5-480M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X3 400e was priced at $100, while the Core i5-480M came in at $81. On launch pricing ($100 vs $81), Core i5-480M was $19 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 400e delivers 13.2 pts/$ vs 16.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-480M — making the Core i5-480M the 21.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X3 400e	Core i5-480M
MSRP	$100	$81-19%
Performance per Dollar	13.2	16.4+24%
Release Date	2009	2011

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