Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-3360M

AMD

Athlon II X4 620e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-3360M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-3360M 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 620e vs Core i5-3360M 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 620e vs Core i5-3360M: 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 620e

2011

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $99 MSRP, while Core i5-3360M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3360M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-3360M

2012

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Athlon II X4 620e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,892 vs 2,906).
  • 1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 620e better than Core i5-3360M?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3360M 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 620e pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 620e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X4 620e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 620e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $99 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3360M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3360M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-3360M Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon II X4 620e

The Athlon II X4 620e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 2,906 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i5-3360M

The Core i5-3360M 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,892 points. Launch price was $266.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 620e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3360M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 620e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X4 620e versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3360M — a 29.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3360M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Athlon II X4 620e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3360M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 620e scores 2,906 against the Core i5-3360M's 2,892 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon II X4 620e. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 620e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3360M.

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-3360M
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
3.5 GHz+35%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
2.8 GHz+8%
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
2,906
2,892
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 620e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3360M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 620e versus 1600 on the Core i5-3360M — the Core i5-3360M 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. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X4 620e) vs 16 (Core i5-3360M) — the Core i5-3360M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X4 620e) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3360M).

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-3360M
Socket
AM3
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 620e) / true (Core i5-3360M). The Core i5-3360M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 620e requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3360M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-3360M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true