Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-2430M

Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-2430M Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 615e

4 / 4

2,018

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2430M

2 / 4

2,015

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 X4 615e vs Core i5-2430M 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 615e vs Core i5-2430M: 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 615e

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $39 less on MSRP ($186 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.8 vs 9.0 PassMark/$ ($186 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-2430M.

Trade-offs

❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2430M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-2430M

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Athlon II X4 615e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,015 vs 2,018).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.0 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $186 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 615e.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2430M better than Athlon II X4 615e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2430M is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 615e pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 615e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2430M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-2430M comes in 21.0% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $186 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X4 615e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 21.1% better value on paper (10.8 vs 9.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-2430M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-2430M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 615e

The Athlon II X4 615e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 2,018 points. Launch price was $59.

Core i5-2430M

The Core i5-2430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,015 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 615e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2430M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 615e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Athlon II X4 615e versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-2430M — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2430M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Athlon II X4 615e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2430M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 615e scores 2,018 against the Core i5-2430M's 2,015 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X4 615e. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 615e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2430M.

Feature	Athlon II X4 615e	Core i5-2430M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
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)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,018	2,015
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,161	—
Geekbench 6 Single	331	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,161	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 615e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD 870,AMD 880G,AMD 890FX,AMD 990FX (Athlon II X4 615e) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2430M).

Feature	Athlon II X4 615e	Core i5-2430M
Socket	AM3	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon II X4 615e has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 615e) vs true (Core i5-2430M). The Core i5-2430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X4 615e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 615e targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon II X4 615e rivals Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300; Core i5-2430M rivals AMD A8-3500M.

Feature	Athlon II X4 615e	Core i5-2430M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 615e was priced at $186, while the Core i5-2430M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($186 vs $225), Athlon II X4 615e was $39 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 615e delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 9.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-2430M — making the Athlon II X4 615e the 19.1% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 615e	Core i5-2430M
MSRP	$186-17%	$225
Performance per Dollar	10.8+20%	9.0
Release Date	2010	2011

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