
Athlon X2 BE-2350 vs Core i5-540UM

Athlon X2 BE-2350

Core i5-540UM
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 X2 BE-2350 is positioned at rank 984 and the Core i5-540UM is on rank 1081, so the Athlon X2 BE-2350 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 BE-2350
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540UM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X2 BE-2350 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Brisbane (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X2 BE-2350 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon X2 BE-2350 and Core i5-540UM

Athlon X2 BE-2350
The Athlon X2 BE-2350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Brisbane (2007−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 975 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-540UM
The Core i5-540UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The Athlon X2 BE-2350 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-540UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Athlon X2 BE-2350 versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-540UM — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 BE-2350. The Athlon X2 BE-2350 uses the Brisbane (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-540UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 BE-2350 scores 975 against the Core i5-540UM's 1,002 — a 2.7% lead for the Core i5-540UM. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon X2 BE-2350 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM.
| Feature | Athlon X2 BE-2350 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz+5% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Brisbane (2007−2008) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 975 | 1,002+3% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X2 BE-2350 uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-540UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon X2 BE-2350 versus 800 on the Core i5-540UM — the Core i5-540UM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 BE-2350 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon X2 BE-2350) vs 16 (Core i5-540UM) — the Core i5-540UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon X2 BE-2350) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-540UM).
| Feature | Athlon X2 BE-2350 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | 800+39900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+209715100% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X2 BE-2350) / true (Core i5-540UM). The Core i5-540UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon X2 BE-2350 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.
| Feature | Athlon X2 BE-2350 | Core i5-540UM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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