Core i3-3110M vs Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Core i3-3110M
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
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 i3-3110M is positioned at rank 917 and the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is on rank 1088, so the Core i3-3110M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3110M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 i3-3110M and Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Core i3-3110M
The Core i3-3110M 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,656 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,665 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3110M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon 64 X2 5600+'s 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-3110M versus 2.9 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5600+. The Core i3-3110M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3110M scores 1,656 against the Athlon 64 X2 5600+'s 1,665 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 5600+. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3110M vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+.
| Feature | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.9 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512K+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-76% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Windsor (2006−2007) |
| PassMark | 1,656 | 1,665 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 424 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 846 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3110M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses AM2 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3110M versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ — the Core i3-3110M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3110M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3110M) vs 0 (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) — the Core i3-3110M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i3-3110M) and AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 5600+).
| Feature | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-3110M) / not specified (Athlon 64 X2 5600+). The Core i3-3110M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3110M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3110M rivals AMD A8-4500M.
| Feature | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | — |
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