Athlon II X3 405e vs Celeron G1610T

AMD

Athlon II X3 405e

3 Cores3 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron G1610T

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Athlon II X3 405e vs Celeron G1610T Performance Spectrum

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 405e vs Celeron G1610T 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 405e vs Celeron G1610T: 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 405e

2009

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,331 vs 1,333).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 31.7 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
    • 28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
    • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1610T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Celeron G1610T

    2012

    Why buy it

    • +0.2% higher PassMark.
    • Costs $58 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
    • Delivers 138.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.7 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($42 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.

    Trade-offs

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

    Quick Answers

    So, is Celeron G1610T better than Athlon II X3 405e?
    Yes. Celeron G1610T 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, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G1610T 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?
    Celeron G1610T is the better buy right now. Celeron G1610T comes in $58 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 138.5% better value on MSRP (31.7 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Celeron G1610T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 405e vs Celeron G1610T Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon II X3 405e

    The Athlon II X3 405e 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 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: 1,331 points. Launch price was $80.

    Intel

    Celeron G1610T

    The Celeron G1610T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 December 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,333 points. Launch price was $89.

    Processing Power

    The Athlon II X3 405e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Celeron G1610T offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X3 405e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 405e versus 2.3 GHz on the Celeron G1610T — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Athlon II X3 405e uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G1610T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 405e scores 1,331 against the Celeron G1610T's 1,333 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron G1610T. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 405e vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G1610T.

    FeatureAthlon II X3 405eCeleron G1610T
    Cores / Threads
    3 / 3+50%
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.3 GHz
    2.3 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.3 GHz
    2.3 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    2 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    512 kB (per core)+100%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    45 nm
    22 nm-51%
    Architecture
    Rana (2009−2011)
    Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
    PassMark
    1,331
    1,333
    Geekbench 6 Single
    393
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    674
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon II X3 405e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G1610T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X3 405e) vs 16 (Celeron G1610T) — the Celeron G1610T offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 405e) and H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Celeron G1610T).

    FeatureAthlon II X3 405eCeleron G1610T
    Socket
    AM3
    LGA1155
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 3.0+50%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1333
    DDR3-1333
    Max RAM Capacity
    32 GB
    32 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X3 405e) / VT-x (Celeron G1610T). The Celeron G1610T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Athlon II X3 405e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G1610T targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G1610T rivals Pentium G2020T.

    FeatureAthlon II X3 405eCeleron G1610T
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x
    Target Use
    Budget
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon II X3 405e was priced at $100, while the Celeron G1610T came in at $42. On launch pricing ($100 vs $42), Celeron G1610T was $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 405e delivers 13.3 pts/$ vs 31.7 pts/$ for the Celeron G1610T — making the Celeron G1610T the 81.8% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon II X3 405eCeleron G1610T
    MSRP
    $100
    $42-58%
    Performance per Dollar
    13.3
    31.7+138%
    Release Date
    2009
    2012

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