Athlon II X4 645 vs Core i3-3245

Athlon II X4 645 vs Core i3-3245 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 645

4 / 4

2,375

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-3245

2 / 4

2,412

+1.6%

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 645 vs Core i3-3245 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 645 vs Core i3-3245: 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 645

2010

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-3245.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,375 vs 2,412).
❌
5% HIGHER MSRP
$126 MSRPvs$120 MSRP
❌72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3245 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-3245

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $6 less on MSRP ($120 MSRP vs $126 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Athlon II X4 645 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 645.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3245 better than Athlon II X4 645?

Yes. Core i3-3245 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-3245 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% more average FPS across 34 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3245 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-3245 is the better buy right now. Core i3-3245 comes in $6 cheaper on MSRP at $120 MSRP versus $126 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 34 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.6% better value on MSRP (20.1 vs 18.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-3245 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) 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 645 vs Core i3-3245 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 645

The Athlon II X4 645 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 2,375 points. Launch price was $80.

Core i3-3245

The Core i3-3245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2013 (12 years ago). It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,412 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 645 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3245 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 645 has 2 more cores. The Athlon II X4 645 is built on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 645 scores 2,375 against the Core i3-3245's 2,412 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i3-3245. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 645 vs 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i3-3245.

Feature	Athlon II X4 645	Core i3-3245
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	—
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.4 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	—
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Propus (2009−2011)	—
PassMark	2,375	2,412+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,374	—
Geekbench 6 Single	399	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,374	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 645 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3245 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 645 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3245 — the Core i3-3245 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3245 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Athlon II X4 645	Core i3-3245
Socket	AM3	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1600+20%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Athlon II X4 645) vs VT-x (Core i3-3245). The Core i3-3245 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 645 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 645 targets Desktop, Core i3-3245 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon II X4 645	Core i3-3245
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x
Target Use	Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 645 was priced at $126, while the Core i3-3245 came in at $120. On launch pricing ($126 vs $120), Core i3-3245 was $6 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 645 delivers 18.8 pts/$ vs 20.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-3245 — making the Core i3-3245 the 6.4% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 645	Core i3-3245
MSRP	$126	$120-5%
Performance per Dollar	18.8	20.1+7%
Release Date	2010	2013

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