Athlon X4 970 vs Core i5-3320M

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 970

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Core i5-3320M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

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Athlon X4 970 vs Core i5-3320M Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 970

4 / 4

2,644

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-3320M

2 / 4

2,660

+0.6%

Core Duo T2400

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 970 vs Core i5-3320M 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 970 vs Core i5-3320M: 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 970

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $140 less on MSRP ($85 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 163.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.1 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($85 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,644 vs 2,660).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3320M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-3320M

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Athlon X4 970 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 970 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $85 MSRP).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 970 better than Core i5-3320M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 970 is ahead with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3320M pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3320M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 970 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 970 comes in $140 cheaper on MSRP at $85 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3320M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 163.1% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 970 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 970 vs Core i5-3320M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 970

The Athlon X4 970 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,644 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-3320M

The Core i5-3320M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,660 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 970 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3320M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 970 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Athlon X4 970 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 970 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Athlon X4 970 uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i5-3320M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 970 scores 2,644 against the Core i5-3320M's 2,660 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3320M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon X4 970 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3320M.

Feature	Athlon X4 970	Core i5-3320M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+21%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+46%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256K (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,644	2,660

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 970 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3320M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Athlon X4 970 versus 1600 on the Core i5-3320M — the Athlon X4 970 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 970 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. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon X4 970) vs 16 (Core i5-3320M) — the Core i5-3320M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM4 (Athlon X4 970) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3320M).

Feature	Athlon X4 970	Core i5-3320M
Socket	AM4	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 970) / true (Core i5-3320M). The Core i5-3320M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon X4 970 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Athlon X4 970	Core i5-3320M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 970 was priced at $85, while the Core i5-3320M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($85 vs $225), Athlon X4 970 was $140 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 970 delivers 31.1 pts/$ vs 11.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-3320M — making the Athlon X4 970 the 89.8% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 970	Core i5-3320M
MSRP	$85-62%	$225
Performance per Dollar	31.1+164%	11.8
Release Date	2017	2012

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