CPU
GPU
Core i3-3229Y
Athlon II X2 215
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 i3-3229Y is positioned at rank 437 and the Athlon II X2 215 is on rank 739, so the Core i3-3229Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3229Y
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 215
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3229Y | Athlon II X2 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3229Y | Athlon II X2 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 i3-3229Y and Athlon II X2 215
Core i3-3229Y
The Core i3-3229Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,014 points. Launch price was $250.
Athlon II X2 215
The Athlon II X2 215 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,011 points. Launch price was $45.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3229Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon II X2 215's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core i3-3229Y versus 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X2 215 — a 63.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 215 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-3229Y uses the Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon II X2 215 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3229Y scores 1,014 against the Athlon II X2 215's 1,011 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-3229Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 274, a 24.4% lead for the Core i3-3229Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 657 vs 674 (2.6% advantage for the Athlon II X2 215). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3229Y vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 215.
| Feature | Core i3-3229Y | Athlon II X2 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.7 GHz+93% |
| Base Clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.7 GHz+93% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge-Y (2013) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,014 | 1,011 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350+28% | 274 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 657 | 674+3% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3229Y uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X2 215 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-3229Y versus 1333 on the Athlon II X2 215 — the Athlon II X2 215 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3229Y supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-3229Y) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 215) — the Core i3-3229Y offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM77,UM77 (Core i3-3229Y) and AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 215).
| Feature | Core i3-3229Y | Athlon II X2 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+209715100% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3229Y) vs true (Athlon II X2 215). The Core i3-3229Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X2 215 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3229Y targets Budget, Athlon II X2 215 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3229Y rivals Athlon Silver 3050GE; Athlon II X2 215 rivals Pentium E5400.
| Feature | Core i3-3229Y | Athlon II X2 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4000 | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | true |
| Target Use | Budget | Budget |
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