Athlon II X3 440 vs Core i5-520M

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X3 440

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Core i5-520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2010

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Athlon II X3 440 vs Core i5-520M Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X3 440

3 / 3

1,743

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-520M

2 / 4

1,727

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 440 vs Core i5-520M 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 440 vs Core i5-520M: 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 440

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $150 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 202.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.2 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-520M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-520M

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W 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 440 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon II X3 440 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,727 vs 1,743).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 23.2 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X3 440 better than Core i5-520M?

Yes. Athlon II X3 440 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X3 440 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% 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, Athlon II X3 440 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Athlon II X3 440 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X3 440 comes in $150 cheaper on MSRP at $75 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 202.8% better value on MSRP (23.2 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-520M is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Athlon II X3 440 vs Core i5-520M Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 Athlon II X3 440 supports 25% 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 GB — 300% 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+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 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

At launch, the Athlon II X3 440 was priced at $75, while the Core i5-520M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($75 vs $225), Athlon II X3 440 was $150 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 440 delivers 23.2 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-520M — making the Athlon II X3 440 the 100.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X3 440	Core i5-520M
MSRP	$75-67%	$225
Performance per Dollar	23.2+201%	7.7
Release Date	2010	2010

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