Core i3-530 vs Athlon 64 X2 5200+
Core i3-530
Athlon 64 X2 5200+
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 i3-530 is positioned at rank 933 and the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ is on rank 1082, so the Core i3-530 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-530
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 5200+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Athlon 64 X2 5200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Athlon 64 X2 5200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-530 and Athlon 64 X2 5200+
Core i3-530
The Core i3-530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,516 points. Launch price was $60.
Athlon 64 X2 5200+
The Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 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: 2.7 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: 1,505 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-530 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon 64 X2 5200+'s 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Core i3-530 versus 2.7 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ — a 97.5% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5200+. The Core i3-530 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-530 scores 1,516 against the Athlon 64 X2 5200+'s 1,505 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-530. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-530 vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5200+.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Athlon 64 X2 5200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.93 GHz | 2.7 GHz+190% |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-64% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Windsor (2006−2007) |
| PassMark | 1,516 | 1,505 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-530 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ uses AM2 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Athlon 64 X2 5200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | AM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-530 launched at $113 MSRP, while the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ debuted at $420. At current prices ($15 vs $15), the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-530 delivers 101.1 pts/$ vs 100.3 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 X2 5200+ — making the Core i3-530 the 0.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Athlon 64 X2 5200+ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $113-73% | $420 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.1 | 100.3 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2006 |
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