Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-3317U

Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-3317U Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 615e

4 / 4

2,018

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-3317U

2 / 4

2,014

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 i5-3317U 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 i5-3317U: 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

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3317U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $186 MSRP, while Core i5-3317U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3317U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-3317U

2012

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Athlon II X4 615e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,014 vs 2,018).
❌1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 615e.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 615e better than Core i5-3317U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3317U is ahead with a 1.9% 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 0.2% 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 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon II X4 615e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 615e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $186 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3317U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3317U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-3317U 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 i5-3317U

The Core i5-3317U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 615e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3317U 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 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-3317U — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3317U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Athlon II X4 615e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3317U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 615e scores 2,018 against the Core i5-3317U's 2,014 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X4 615e. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 615e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3317U.

Feature	Athlon II X4 615e	Core i5-3317U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 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	2,018	2,014
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,161	—
Geekbench 6 Single	331	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,161	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 615e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3317U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 615e versus 1600 on the Core i5-3317U — the Core i5-3317U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3317U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. 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 HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3317U).

Feature	Athlon II X4 615e	Core i5-3317U
Socket	AM3	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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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 i5-3317U). The Core i5-3317U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), 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 i5-3317U rivals AMD A8-4555M.