Athlon II X3 425e vs Core i5-3427U
Athlon II X3 425e
Core i5-3427U
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 X3 425e is positioned at rank 620 and the Core i5-3427U is on rank 979, so the Athlon II X3 425e 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 X3 425e
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3427U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X3 425e | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($58) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X3 425e | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($58) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 X3 425e and Core i5-3427U
Athlon II X3 425e
The Athlon II X3 425e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 2,239 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-3427U
The Core i5-3427U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,252 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X3 425e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i5-3427U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X3 425e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X3 425e versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-3427U — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-3427U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Athlon II X3 425e uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3427U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 425e scores 2,239 against the Core i5-3427U's 2,252 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3427U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 425e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3427U.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 425e | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 2.8 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+50% | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Rana (2009−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,239 | 2,252 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X3 425e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3427U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 425e versus 1600 on the Core i5-3427U — the Core i5-3427U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X3 425e) vs 16 (Core i5-3427U) — the Core i5-3427U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 425e) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3427U).
| Feature | Athlon II X3 425e | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 1600+53233% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+104857500% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X3 425e) / true (Core i5-3427U). The Core i5-3427U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X3 425e requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3427U rivals AMD A8-4555M.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 425e | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon II X3 425e and Core i5-3427U
