Athlon II X3 425e vs Core i7-3555LE

Athlon II X3 425e vs Core i7-3555LE Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X3 425e

3 / 3

2,239

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-3555LE

2 / 4

2,238

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 X3 425e vs Core i7-3555LE 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 425e vs Core i7-3555LE: 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 425e

2011

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $221 less on MSRP ($79 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 279.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.3 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($79 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Core i7-3555LE

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,238 vs 2,239).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 28.3 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $79 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3555LE better than Athlon II X3 425e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3555LE is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 425e pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 425e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Core i7-3555LE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3555LE comes in 279.7% more expensive on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $79 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X3 425e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 279.9% better value on paper (28.3 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i7-3555LE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X3 425e vs Core i7-3555LE Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-3555LE

The Core i7-3555LE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X3 425e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i7-3555LE 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 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-3555LE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon II X3 425e uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-3555LE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 425e scores 2,239 against the Core i7-3555LE's 2,238 — a 0% lead for the Athlon II X3 425e. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 425e vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3555LE.

Feature	Athlon II X3 425e	Core i7-3555LE
Cores / Threads	3 / 3+50%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.2 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+8%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 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	2,239	2,238

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X3 425e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3555LE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon II X3 425e	Core i7-3555LE
Socket	AM3	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X3 425e was priced at $79, while the Core i7-3555LE came in at $300. On launch pricing ($79 vs $300), Athlon II X3 425e was $221 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 425e delivers 28.3 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-3555LE — making the Athlon II X3 425e the 116.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X3 425e	Core i7-3555LE
MSRP	$79-74%	$300
Performance per Dollar	28.3+277%	7.5
Release Date	2011	2012

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