CPU
GPU
Athlon II X4 630
Core i5-3437U
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 Core i5-3437U is on rank 164, so the Core i5-3437U 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 Core i5-3437U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 630 | Core i5-3437U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 630 | Core i5-3437U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Core i5-3437U
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.
Core i5-3437U
The Core i5-3437U 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,166 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 630 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3437U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 630 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X4 630 versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-3437U — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3437U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Athlon II X4 630 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3437U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 630 scores 2,175 against the Core i5-3437U's 2,166 — a 0.4% lead for the Athlon II X4 630. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 630 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3437U.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core i5-3437U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.9 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+47% | 1.9 GHz |
| 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 | 2,175 | 2,166 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 440 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,080 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 630 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-3437U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-3437U 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Socket AM3 (Athlon II X4 630) and QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3437U).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core i5-3437U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon II X4 630 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 630) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3437U). The Core i5-3437U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 630 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3437U targets Business Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i5-3437U rivals AMD A8-4555M.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core i5-3437U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Business Ultrabook |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon II X4 630 and Core i5-3437U
