Athlon X2 L310 vs Core i5-520M

CPU

GPU

Athlon X2 L310

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2009

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Core i5-520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2010

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Athlon X2 L310 vs Core i5-520M Performance Spectrum

Athlon X2 L310

2 / 2

1,747

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-520M

2 / 4

1,727

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 L310 vs Core i5-520M 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 L310 vs Core i5-520M: 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 L310

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $125 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 127.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.5 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (213 vs 695).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-520M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-520M

2010

Why buy it

✅+226.3% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon X2 L310 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X2 L310 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 17.5 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 L310 better than Core i5-520M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X2 L310 is ahead with a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-520M pulls ahead with 226.3% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-520M is the stronger fit. You are getting 226.3% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X2 L310 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 L310 comes in $125 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-520M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 226.3% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 127.6% better value on MSRP (17.5 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 i5-520M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X2 L310 vs Core i5-520M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X2 L310

The Athlon X2 L310 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Conesus (2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,747 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-520M

The Core i5-520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,727 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X2 L310 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-520M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 L310 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-520M — a 83.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-520M. The Athlon X2 L310 uses the Conesus (2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-520M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 L310 scores 1,747 against the Core i5-520M's 1,727 — a 1.2% lead for the Athlon X2 L310. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 120 vs 360, a 100% lead for the Core i5-520M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 213 vs 695 (106.2% advantage for the Core i5-520M).

Feature	Athlon X2 L310	Core i5-520M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	2.93 GHz+144%
Base Clock	—	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Conesus (2009)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,747+1%	1,727
Geekbench 6 Single	120	360+200%
Geekbench 6 Multi	213	695+226%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 L310 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 L310 versus 1066 on the Core i5-520M — the Core i5-520M supports 59.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-520M 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 X2 L310) vs 16 (Core i5-520M) — the Core i5-520M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket S1 (Athlon X2 L310) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-520M).

Feature	Athlon X2 L310	Core i5-520M
Socket	S1	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	1066+60%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Athlon X2 L310) vs true (Core i5-520M). The Core i5-520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon X2 L310 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 L310 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-520M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.

Feature	Athlon X2 L310	Core i5-520M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	true
Target Use	Mobile	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X2 L310 was priced at $100, while the Core i5-520M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($100 vs $225), Athlon X2 L310 was $125 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 L310 delivers 17.5 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Core i5-520M — making the Athlon X2 L310 the 77.9% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X2 L310	Core i5-520M
MSRP	$100-56%	$225
Performance per Dollar	17.5+127%	7.7
Release Date	2009	2010

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