CPU
GPU
Core i3-2370M
Athlon II X2 280
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 i3-2370M is positioned at rank 1186 and the Athlon II X2 280 is on rank 638, so the Athlon II X2 280 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2370M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 280
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2370M | Athlon II X2 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2370M | Athlon II X2 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1384%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 i3-2370M and Athlon II X2 280
Core i3-2370M
The Core i3-2370M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,370 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon II X2 280
The Athlon II X2 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,355 points. Launch price was $100.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2370M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon II X2 280's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-2370M versus 3.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 280 — a 40% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 280 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-2370M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X2 280 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2370M scores 1,370 against the Athlon II X2 280's 1,355 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-2370M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 412 vs 290, a 34.8% lead for the Core i3-2370M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 711 vs 550 (25.5% advantage for the Core i3-2370M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2370M vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 280.
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | Athlon II X2 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+50% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+50% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,370+1% | 1,355 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 412+42% | 290 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 711+29% | 550 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2370M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X2 280 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2370M) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 280) — the Core i3-2370M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i3-2370M) and 870,880G,890GX,890FX,970,990X,990FX (Athlon II X2 280).
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | Athlon II X2 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2370M) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X2 280). The Core i3-2370M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X2 280 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2370M targets Laptop, Athlon II X2 280 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 280 rivals Pentium E6700.
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | Athlon II X2 280 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Laptop | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2370M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 280 debuted at $50.
| Feature | Core i3-2370M | Athlon II X2 280 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $50-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $15 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2013 |
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