Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-3380M

AMD

Athlon II X4 620e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-3380M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-3380M 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 i5-3380M 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 i5-3380M: 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

  • Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,906 vs 2,938).
  • Launch MSRP is still $99 MSRP, while Core i5-3380M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3380M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-3380M

2013

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

  • 1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3380M better than Athlon II X4 620e?
Yes. Core i5-3380M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3380M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3380M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-3380M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-3380M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $99 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X4 620e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (29.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3380M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) 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 620e vs Core i5-3380M 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 i5-3380M

The Core i5-3380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 2,938 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 620e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3380M 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 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3380M — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3380M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Athlon II X4 620e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3380M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 620e scores 2,906 against the Core i5-3380M's 2,938 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-3380M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 620e vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3380M.

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-3380M
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
3.6 GHz+38%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
2.9 GHz+12%
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
2,938+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
700
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,600
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 620e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3380M 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 DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3380M — the Core i5-3380M 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 i5-3380M) — the Core i5-3380M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X4 620e) and HM77,QM77 (Core i5-3380M).

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-3380M
Socket
AM3
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1600+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) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3380M). The Core i5-3380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 620e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3380M targets Business Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3380M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-3380M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Business Laptop