Athlon X4 860K vs Core i5-2405S

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 860K

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 4 GHz2014

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Core i5-2405S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

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Athlon X4 860K vs Core i5-2405S Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 860K

4 / 4

3,425

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-2405S

4 / 4

3,397

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 X4 860K vs Core i5-2405S 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 X4 860K vs Core i5-2405S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X4 860K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $229 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Delivers 289.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.8 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($80 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2405S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2405S.

Core i5-2405S

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Athlon X4 860K needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon X4 860K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 860K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,397 vs 3,425).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.0 vs 42.8 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $80 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 860K better than Core i5-2405S?

Yes. Athlon X4 860K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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 X4 860K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.5% 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 X4 860K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 860K is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 860K comes in $229 cheaper on MSRP at $80 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 289.4% better value on MSRP (42.8 vs 11.0 PassMark/$), 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 X4 860K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 860K vs Core i5-2405S Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 860K

The Athlon X4 860K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,425 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-2405S

The Core i5-2405S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,397 points. Launch price was $472.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon X4 860K and Core i5-2405S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Athlon X4 860K versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2405S — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 860K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Athlon X4 860K uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-2405S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 860K scores 3,425 against the Core i5-2405S's 3,397 — a 0.8% lead for the Athlon X4 860K.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i5-2405S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+21%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+48%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,425	3,397
Geekbench 6 Single	—	557
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,480

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 860K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2405S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 860K versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2405S — the Athlon X4 860K supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 860K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 860K) and H61,B65,Q65,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2405S).

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i5-2405S
Socket	FM2+	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 860K) / VT-x / EPT (Core i5-2405S). The Core i5-2405S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon X4 860K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2405S targets Budget.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i5-2405S
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 860K was priced at $80, while the Core i5-2405S came in at $309. On launch pricing ($80 vs $309), Athlon X4 860K was $229 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 860K delivers 42.8 pts/$ vs 11.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-2405S — making the Athlon X4 860K the 118.3% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i5-2405S
MSRP	$80-74%	$309
Performance per Dollar	42.8+289%	11.0
Release Date	2014	2011

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