Core i3-2312M vs Athlon II Neo K345
Core i3-2312M
Athlon II Neo K345
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 Core i3-2312M is positioned at rank 1200 and the Athlon II Neo K345 is on rank 812, so the Athlon II Neo K345 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2312M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II Neo K345
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2312M | Athlon II Neo K345 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2312M | Athlon II Neo K345 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2154%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
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 Core i3-2312M and Athlon II Neo K345
Core i3-2312M
The Core i3-2312M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,189 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon II Neo K345
The Athlon II Neo K345 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.4 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,191 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2312M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon II Neo K345's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2312M versus 1.4 GHz on the Athlon II Neo K345 — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i3-2312M. The Core i3-2312M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II Neo K345 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2312M scores 1,189 against the Athlon II Neo K345's 1,191 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II Neo K345.
| Feature | Core i3-2312M | Athlon II Neo K345 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz+50% | 1.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Champlain (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,189 | 1,191 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 731 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2312M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II Neo K345 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i3-2312M versus DDR3-1066 on the Athlon II Neo K345 — the Core i3-2312M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-2312M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2312M) vs 0 (Athlon II Neo K345) — the Core i3-2312M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i3-2312M) and AMD ASB2 (Athlon II Neo K345).
| Feature | Core i3-2312M | Athlon II Neo K345 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 4 GB+26214300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i3-2312M) / not specified (Athlon II Neo K345). The Core i3-2312M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II Neo K345 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i3-2312M | Athlon II Neo K345 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2312M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon II Neo K345 debuted at $50.
| Feature | Core i3-2312M | Athlon II Neo K345 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $50-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $10 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2010 |
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