Athlon II X4 605e vs Core i7-3689Y

Athlon II X4 605e vs Core i7-3689Y Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 605e

4 / 4

1,964

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-3689Y

2 / 4

1,967

+0.2%

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 X4 605e vs Core i7-3689Y 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 X4 605e vs Core i7-3689Y: 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 X4 605e

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (AMD Stock), unlike Core i7-3689Y.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (300 vs 507).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,069 vs 1,100).
❌Launch MSRP is still $143 MSRP, while Core i7-3689Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3689Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3689Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+69% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Athlon II X4 605e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 605e.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3689Y better than Athlon II X4 605e?

Yes. Core i7-3689Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3689Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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, Core i7-3689Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-3689Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3689Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $143 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X4 605e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3689Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X4 605e vs Core i7-3689Y Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 605e

The Athlon II X4 605e 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 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: 1,964 points. Launch price was $102.

Core i7-3689Y

The Core i7-3689Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,967 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 605e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3689Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 605e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 605e versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-3689Y — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3689Y (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Athlon II X4 605e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-3689Y uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 605e scores 1,964 against the Core i7-3689Y's 1,967 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3689Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 507, a 51.3% lead for the Core i7-3689Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,069 vs 1,100 (2.9% advantage for the Core i7-3689Y). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 605e vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3689Y.

Feature	Athlon II X4 605e	Core i7-3689Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+53%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Propus (2009−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,964	1,967
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,140	—
Geekbench 6 Single	300	507+69%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,069	1,100+3%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 605e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3689Y uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 605e versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-3689Y — the Core i7-3689Y supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 760G,785G,790GX,880G,890GX (Athlon II X4 605e) and HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3689Y).

Feature	Athlon II X4 605e	Core i7-3689Y
Socket	AM3	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3L-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 605e) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3689Y). The Core i7-3689Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 605e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 605e targets Desktop, Core i7-3689Y targets Ultra-Low Power Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3689Y rivals AMD A10-4655M.