Athlon X2 340 vs Core i5-480M

CPU

GPU

Athlon X2 340

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012

Similar parts

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Core i5-480M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2011

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Athlon X2 340 vs Core i5-480M Performance Spectrum

Athlon X2 340

2 / 2

1,333

+0.5%

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 X2 340 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 X2 340 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 X2 340

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $51 less on MSRP ($30 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).
✅Delivers 171.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 16.4 PassMark/$ ($30 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (AMD Stock), unlike Core i5-480M.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W 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 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon X2 340 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,327 vs 1,333).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.4 vs 44.4 PassMark/$ ($81 MSRP vs $30 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 340.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 340 better than Core i5-480M?

Yes. Athlon X2 340 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, Athlon X2 340 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X2 340 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon X2 340 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 340 comes in $51 cheaper on MSRP at $30 MSRP versus $81 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 171.2% better value on MSRP (44.4 vs 16.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon X2 340 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X2 340 vs Core i5-480M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X2 340

The Athlon X2 340 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,333 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.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X2 340 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-480M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Athlon X2 340 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 340 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Athlon X2 340 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-480M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 340 scores 1,333 against the Core i5-480M's 1,327 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon X2 340.

Feature	Athlon X2 340	Core i5-480M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+23%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+20%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,333	1,327
Geekbench 6 Single	397	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	549	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 340 uses the FM2 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 DDR3-1600 on the Athlon X2 340 versus 1066 on the Core i5-480M — the Athlon X2 340 supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 340 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75,A85X,A88X (Athlon X2 340) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-480M).

Feature	Athlon X2 340	Core i5-480M
Socket	FM2	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+50%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X2 340) vs true (Core i5-480M). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon X2 340 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 340 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Athlon X2 340	Core i5-480M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X2 340 was priced at $30, while the Core i5-480M came in at $81. On launch pricing ($30 vs $81), Athlon X2 340 was $51 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 340 delivers 44.4 pts/$ vs 16.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-480M — making the Athlon X2 340 the 92.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X2 340	Core i5-480M
MSRP	$30-63%	$81
Performance per Dollar	44.4+171%	16.4
Release Date	2012	2011

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