CPU
GPU
Athlon II X4 630
A8-3820
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon II X4 630 is positioned at rank 868 and the A8-3820 is on rank 1032, so the Athlon II X4 630 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 630
Performance Per Dollar A8-3820
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 630 | A8-3820 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 630 | A8-3820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1231%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X4 630 and A8-3820
Athlon II X4 630
The Athlon II X4 630 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,175 points. Launch price was $63.
A8-3820
The A8-3820 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,178 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon II X4 630 and A8-3820 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X4 630 versus 2.8 GHz on the A8-3820 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon II X4 630 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the A8-3820 uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 630 scores 2,175 against the A8-3820's 2,178 — a 0.1% lead for the A8-3820. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | A8-3820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+12% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 2,175 | 2,178 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 354 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 630 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A8-3820 uses FM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The A8-3820 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 630) vs 20 (A8-3820) — the A8-3820 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket AM3 (Athlon II X4 630) and A55,A75 (A8-3820).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | A8-3820 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | FM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 20+25% |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon II X4 630 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A8-3820 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Athlon II X4 630 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3820 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3820 rivals Core i3-2120.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | A8-3820 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 6550D |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Budget Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 630 launched at $129 MSRP, while the A8-3820 debuted at $280. At current prices ($15 vs $200), the Athlon II X4 630 is $185 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 630 delivers 145.0 pts/$ vs 10.9 pts/$ for the A8-3820 — making the Athlon II X4 630 the 172.1% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | A8-3820 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129-54% | $280 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-93% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 145.0+1230% | 10.9 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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