Athlon II X4 615e vs Core i5-13600K
Athlon II X4 615e
Core i5-13600K
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. The Athlon II X4 615e is positioned at rank #983 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 615e
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-13600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 615e | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 615e | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+75%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($319) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X4 615e and Core i5-13600K
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 i5-13600K
The Core i5-13600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 37,655 points. Launch price was $319.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 615e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-13600K offers 14 cores / 20 threads — the Core i5-13600K has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Athlon II X4 615e versus 5.1 GHz on the Core i5-13600K — a 68.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-13600K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Athlon II X4 615e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-13600K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 615e scores 2,018 against the Core i5-13600K's 37,655 — a 179.7% lead for the Core i5-13600K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 615e vs 24 MB on the Core i5-13600K.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 615e | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 14 / 20+250% |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 5.1 GHz+104% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz+40% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 24 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 45 nm | Intel 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) |
| PassMark | 2,018 | 37,655+1766% |
| 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 i5-13600K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 615e versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i5-13600K — the Core i5-13600K supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13600K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 615e) vs 20 (Core i5-13600K) — the Core i5-13600K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 870,AMD 880G,AMD 890FX,AMD 990FX (Athlon II X4 615e) and Intel 600 series,Intel 700 series (Core i5-13600K).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 615e | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1700 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR5-5600+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 192 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 615e) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-13600K). The Core i5-13600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Athlon II X4 615e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 615e targets Gaming, Core i5-13600K targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X4 615e rivals Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 615e | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 770 |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Gaming | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 615e launched at $186 MSRP, while the Core i5-13600K debuted at $329. At current prices ($30 vs $319), the Athlon II X4 615e is $289 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 615e delivers 67.3 pts/$ vs 118.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-13600K — making the Core i5-13600K the 54.8% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 615e | Core i5-13600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $186-43% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-91% | $319 |
| Performance per Dollar | 67.3 | 118.0+75% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2022 |
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