Athlon II X4 610e vs Core M-5Y71

AMD

Athlon II X4 610e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core M-5Y71

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Athlon II X4 610e vs Core M-5Y71 Performance Spectrum

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 610e vs Core M-5Y71 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 610e vs Core M-5Y71: 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 610e

2010

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $138 less on MSRP ($143 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
  • Delivers 94.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.7 vs 7.0 PassMark/$ ($143 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
  • Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,959 vs 1,975).

Core M-5Y71

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon II X4 610e across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.0 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $143 MSRP).
  • 1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 610e.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 610e better than Core M-5Y71?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X4 610e is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y71 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y71 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X4 610e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 610e comes in $138 cheaper on MSRP at $143 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core M-5Y71 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 94.9% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 7.0 PassMark/$), 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 M-5Y71 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) 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 610e vs Core M-5Y71 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon II X4 610e

The Athlon II X4 610e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,959 points. Launch price was $70.

Intel

Core M-5Y71

The Core M-5Y71 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,975 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 610e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core M-5Y71 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 610e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Athlon II X4 610e versus 2.9 GHz on the Core M-5Y71 — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core M-5Y71 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Athlon II X4 610e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core M-5Y71 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 610e scores 1,959 against the Core M-5Y71's 1,975 — a 0.8% lead for the Core M-5Y71. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 610e vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y71.

FeatureAthlon II X4 610eCore M-5Y71
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
2.9 GHz+21%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz+100%
1.2 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Propus (2009−2011)
Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark
1,959
1,975
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 610e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y71 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureAthlon II X4 610eCore M-5Y71
Socket
AM3
FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 610e) / not specified (Core M-5Y71).

FeatureAthlon II X4 610eCore M-5Y71
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 610e was priced at $143, while the Core M-5Y71 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($143 vs $281), Athlon II X4 610e was $138 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 610e delivers 13.7 pts/$ vs 7.0 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y71 — making the Athlon II X4 610e the 64.4% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X4 610eCore M-5Y71
MSRP
$143-49%
$281
Performance per Dollar
13.7+96%
7.0
Release Date
2010
2014

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