Athlon Neo X2 L335 vs Core i5-480M

Athlon Neo X2 L335 vs Core i5-480M Performance Spectrum

Athlon Neo X2 L335

2 / 2

1,331

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-480M

2 / 4

1,327

0.0%

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 Neo X2 L335 vs Core i5-480M 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 Neo X2 L335 vs Core i5-480M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon Neo X2 L335

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-480M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-480M

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon Neo X2 L335 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,327 vs 1,331).
❌
1.3% HIGHER MSRP
$81 MSRPvs$80 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-480M better than Athlon Neo X2 L335?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-480M is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon Neo X2 L335 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon Neo X2 L335 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-480M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-480M comes in 1.3% more expensive on MSRP at $81 MSRP versus $80 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon Neo X2 L335 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 1.6% better value on paper (16.6 vs 16.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on ASB1.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-480M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon Neo X2 L335 vs Core i5-480M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon Neo X2 L335

The Athlon Neo X2 L335 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Congo (2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: ASB1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,331 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-480M

The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon Neo X2 L335 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-480M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon Neo X2 L335 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M — a 58.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M. The Athlon Neo X2 L335 uses the Congo (2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-480M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Neo X2 L335 scores 1,331 against the Core i5-480M's 1,327 — a 0.3% lead for the Athlon Neo X2 L335.

Feature	Athlon Neo X2 L335	Core i5-480M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.93 GHz+83%
Base Clock	—	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Congo (2009)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,331	1,327

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Neo X2 L335 uses the ASB1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-480M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon Neo X2 L335 versus 1066 on the Core i5-480M — the Core i5-480M supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-480M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon Neo X2 L335) vs 16 (Core i5-480M) — the Core i5-480M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD ASB1 (Athlon Neo X2 L335) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-480M).

Feature	Athlon Neo X2 L335	Core i5-480M
Socket	ASB1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	1066+33%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon Neo X2 L335) / true (Core i5-480M). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon Neo X2 L335 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Athlon Neo X2 L335	Core i5-480M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon Neo X2 L335 was priced at $80, while the Core i5-480M came in at $81. On launch pricing ($80 vs $81), Athlon Neo X2 L335 was $1 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Neo X2 L335 delivers 16.6 pts/$ vs 16.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-480M — making the Athlon Neo X2 L335 the 1.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon Neo X2 L335	Core i5-480M
MSRP	$80-1%	$81
Performance per Dollar	16.6+1%	16.4
Release Date	2009	2011

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