CPU
GPU
Athlon II X3 440
Core i5-520M
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 440 is positioned at rank 722 and the Core i5-520M is on rank 1139, so the Athlon II X3 440 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 440
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X3 440 | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X3 440 | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2171%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 440 and Core i5-520M
Athlon II X3 440
The Athlon II X3 440 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,743 points. Launch price was $47.
Core i5-520M
The Core i5-520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,727 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X3 440 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i5-520M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X3 440 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 440 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-520M — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 440 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Athlon II X3 440 uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-520M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 440 scores 1,743 against the Core i5-520M's 1,727 — a 0.9% lead for the Athlon II X3 440. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 440 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-520M.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 440 | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+2% | 2.93 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+25% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Rana (2009−2011) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,743 | 1,727 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 360 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 695 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X3 440 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 440 versus 1066 on the Core i5-520M — the Core i5-520M supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 440 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X3 440) vs 16 (Core i5-520M) — the Core i5-520M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 440) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-520M).
| Feature | Athlon II X3 440 | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 1066+35433% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+419430300% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X3 440) / true (Core i5-520M). The Core i5-520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon II X3 440 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-520M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 440 | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X3 440 launched at $75 MSRP, while the Core i5-520M debuted at $225.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 440 | Core i5-520M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $75-67% | $225 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10 | — |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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