Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-4210M

AMD

Athlon II X4 620e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i5-4210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-4210M 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 i5-4210M 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 i5-4210M: 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

  • Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $99 MSRP, while Core i5-4210M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4210M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-4210M

2014

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Athlon II X4 620e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon II X4 620e across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,899 vs 2,906).
  • 1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 620e better than Core i5-4210M?
Yes. Athlon II X4 620e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X4 620e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.9% 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, Athlon II X4 620e 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 620e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 620e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $99 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4210M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 620e vs Core i5-4210M 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 i5-4210M

The Core i5-4210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,899 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 620e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4210M 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 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4210M — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4210M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Athlon II X4 620e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4210M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 620e scores 2,906 against the Core i5-4210M's 2,899 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X4 620e. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 620e vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4210M.

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-4210M
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
3.2 GHz+23%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512 kB
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Propus (2009−2011)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
2,906
2,899
Geekbench 6 Single
959
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 620e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4210M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 620e versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4210M — the Core i5-4210M 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 i5-4210M) — the Core i5-4210M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X4 620e) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210M).

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-4210M
Socket
AM3
PGA946
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3L-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, EPT (Core i5-4210M). The Core i5-4210M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Athlon II X4 620e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210M rivals A10-5750M.

FeatureAthlon II X4 620eCore i5-4210M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop