Athlon X4 970 vs Core i5-3320M
Athlon X4 970
Core i5-3320M
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 X4 970 is positioned at rank 582 and the Core i5-3320M is on rank 65, so the Core i5-3320M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 970
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3320M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 970 | Core i5-3320M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($85) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 970 | Core i5-3320M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+163%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($85) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) |
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 X4 970 and Core i5-3320M
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.
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 |
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 Core i5-3320M supports 199% 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 — 66.7% 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 | 1600+39900% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+209715100% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| 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 |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 970 launched at $85 MSRP, while the Core i5-3320M debuted at $225.
| Feature | Athlon X4 970 | Core i5-3320M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $85-62% | $225 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $85 | — |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2012 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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