CPU
GPU
Athlon II X4 635
Core i5-3427U
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 i5-3427U is on rank 979, so the Core i5-3427U 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 i5-3427U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X4 635 and Core i5-3427U
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 i5-3427U
The Core i5-3427U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,252 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 635 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3427U 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 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-3427U — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 635 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Athlon II X4 635 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3427U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 635 scores 2,248 against the Core i5-3427U's 2,252 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-3427U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 635 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3427U.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz+4% | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz+61% | 1.8 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 | 2,248 | 2,252 |
| 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 i5-3427U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066 on the Athlon II X4 635 versus 1600 on the Core i5-3427U — the Core i5-3427U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3427U supports up to 32 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: AMD 770,785G,790FX,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Athlon II X4 635) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3427U).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066 | 1600+53233% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+52428700% | 32 |
| 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 i5-3427U). The Core i5-3427U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 635 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 635 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3427U rivals AMD A8-4555M.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 635 | Core i5-3427U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | true |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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 635 and Core i5-3427U
