CPU
GPU
Athlon II X4 635
Core i5-2520M
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 635 is positioned at rank 1069 and the Core i5-2520M is on rank 1083, so the Athlon II X4 635 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 635
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2520M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-2520M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($225) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-2520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+11%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($225) |
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 635 and Core i5-2520M
Athlon II X4 635
The Athlon II X4 635 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 2,248 points. Launch price was $70.
Core i5-2520M
The Core i5-2520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 635 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2520M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 635 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon II X4 635 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2520M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon II X4 635 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2520M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 635 scores 2,248 against the Core i5-2520M's 2,241 — a 0.3% lead for the Athlon II X4 635. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 635 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2520M.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-2520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.2 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz+16% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,248 | 2,241 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 658 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 180 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 550 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 635 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066 on the Athlon II X4 635 versus 1333 on the Core i5-2520M — the Core i5-2520M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD 770,785G,790FX,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Athlon II X4 635) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2520M).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-2520M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+104857500% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon II X4 635 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 635) vs true (Core i5-2520M). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X4 635 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 635 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-2520M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | true |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 635 launched at $400 MSRP, while the Core i5-2520M debuted at $225.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-2520M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $400 | $225-44% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250 | — |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2011 |
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