Athlon PRO 300GE vs Core i7-2820QM
Athlon PRO 300GE
Core i7-2820QM
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon PRO 300GE
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2820QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon PRO 300GE | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($568) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Zen+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon PRO 300GE | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1026%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($568) |
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 PRO 300GE and Core i7-2820QM
Athlon PRO 300GE
The Athlon PRO 300GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,342 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-2820QM
The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.
Processing Power
The Athlon PRO 300GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Athlon PRO 300GE versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM — identical boost frequencies. The Athlon PRO 300GE uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Core i7-2820QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon PRO 300GE scores 4,342 against the Core i7-2820QM's 4,379 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-2820QM. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Athlon PRO 300GE vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM.
| Feature | Athlon PRO 300GE | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 8 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 12 nm-63% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Zen+ (2018−2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,342 | 4,379 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 554 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,763 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon PRO 300GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Athlon PRO 300GE versus 1600 on the Core i7-2820QM — the Core i7-2820QM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon PRO 300GE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon PRO 300GE) vs 16 (Core i7-2820QM) — the Core i7-2820QM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (Athlon PRO 300GE) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2820QM).
| Feature | Athlon PRO 300GE | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | 1600+39900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+209715100% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 16+100% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon PRO 300GE) vs true (Core i7-2820QM). Both include integrated graphics — Radeon Vega 3 (Athlon PRO 300GE) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2820QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon PRO 300GE targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Athlon PRO 300GE | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Radeon Vega 3 | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | true |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon PRO 300GE launched at $50 MSRP, while the Core i7-2820QM debuted at $568.
| Feature | Athlon PRO 300GE | Core i7-2820QM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $50-91% | $568 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | — |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2011 |
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