Athlon II X3 445 vs Core i7-820QM
Athlon II X3 445
Core i7-820QM
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 445 is positioned at rank 781 and the Core i7-820QM is on rank 1231, so the Athlon II X3 445 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 445
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-820QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X3 445 | Core i7-820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($546) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X3 445 | Core i7-820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+3516%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($546) |
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 445 and Core i7-820QM
Athlon II X3 445
The Athlon II X3 445 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 1,807 points. Launch price was $91.
Core i7-820QM
The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X3 445 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i7-820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X3 445 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 1.3% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 445 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Athlon II X3 445 uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 445 scores 1,807 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-820QM. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 445 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 445 | Core i7-820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3 | 4 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+1% | 3.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+79% | 1.73 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Rana (2009−2011) | Clarksfield (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,807 | 1,819 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X3 445 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 445 versus 1333 on the Core i7-820QM — the Core i7-820QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 445 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 445) vs 16 (Core i7-820QM) — the Core i7-820QM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 445) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-820QM).
| Feature | Athlon II X3 445 | Core i7-820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 1333+44333% |
| 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 445) / true (Core i7-820QM). Direct competitor: Core i7-820QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 445 | Core i7-820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X3 445 launched at $87 MSRP, while the Core i7-820QM debuted at $546.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 445 | Core i7-820QM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $87-84% | $546 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | — |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2009 |
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