Athlon II X4 630 vs Core m3-6Y30

AMD

Athlon II X4 630

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Core m3-6Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2015
Similar parts
·······

Athlon II X4 630 vs Core m3-6Y30 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 630 vs Core m3-6Y30 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 630 vs Core m3-6Y30: 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 630

2009

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $152 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
  • Delivers 117.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.9 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($129 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
  • Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,175 vs 2,180).

Core m3-6Y30

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon II X4 630 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 16.9 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
  • 438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 630.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 630 better than Core m3-6Y30?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X4 630 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-6Y30 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core m3-6Y30 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X4 630 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 630 comes in $152 cheaper on MSRP at $129 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core m3-6Y30 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 117.3% better value on MSRP (16.9 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), 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 m3-6Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) 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 630 vs Core m3-6Y30 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Core m3-6Y30

The Core m3-6Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $281.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 630 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core m3-6Y30 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 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 — a 24% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 630 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 0.9 GHz). The Athlon II X4 630 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 630 scores 2,175 against the Core m3-6Y30's 2,180 — a 0.2% lead for the Core m3-6Y30. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 630 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m3-6Y30.

FeatureAthlon II X4 630Core m3-6Y30
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+27%
2.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+211%
0.9 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Propus (2009−2011)
Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark
2,175
2,180
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 630 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureAthlon II X4 630Core m3-6Y30
Socket
AM3
FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 630) / not specified (Core m3-6Y30).

FeatureAthlon II X4 630Core m3-6Y30
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 630 was priced at $129, while the Core m3-6Y30 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($129 vs $281), Athlon II X4 630 was $152 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 630 delivers 16.9 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core m3-6Y30 — making the Athlon II X4 630 the 73.9% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X4 630Core m3-6Y30
MSRP
$129-54%
$281
Performance per Dollar
16.9+117%
7.8
Release Date
2009
2015

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.