Athlon II X4 600e vs Core i5-540M
Athlon II X4 600e
Core i5-540M
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 X4 600e is positioned at rank 842 and the Core i5-540M is on rank 432, so the Core i5-540M 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 X4 600e
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 600e | Core i5-540M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 600e | Core i5-540M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ 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 X4 600e and Core i5-540M
Athlon II X4 600e
The Athlon II X4 600e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 1,795 points. Launch price was $130.
Core i5-540M
The Core i5-540M 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 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.07 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,796 points. Launch price was $257.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 600e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-540M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 600e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II X4 600e versus 3.07 GHz on the Core i5-540M — a 33% clock advantage for the Core i5-540M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Athlon II X4 600e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-540M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 600e scores 1,795 against the Core i5-540M's 1,796 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-540M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 600e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-540M.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Core i5-540M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.07 GHz+40% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.53 GHz+15% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,795 | 1,796 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 300 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 700 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 600e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X4 600e supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Socket AM3 (Athlon II X4 600e) and HM55,QM57,HM57,QS57,PM55 (Core i5-540M).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Core i5-540M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 600e) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-540M). The Core i5-540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Athlon II X4 600e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-540M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Core i5-540M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Mainstream Laptop |
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 X4 600e and Core i5-540M
