Core i5-2430M vs Athlon II X4 620
Core i5-2430M
Athlon II X4 620
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 i5-2430M is positioned at rank 1106 and the Athlon II X4 620 is on rank 789, so the Athlon II X4 620 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2430M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 620
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2430M | Athlon II X4 620 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2430M | Athlon II X4 620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1408%) |
| 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 i5-2430M and Athlon II X4 620
Core i5-2430M
The Core i5-2430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,015 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon II X4 620
The Athlon II X4 620 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,026 points. Launch price was $65.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X4 620 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 620 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-2430M versus 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X4 620 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-2430M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-2430M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X4 620 uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2430M scores 2,015 against the Athlon II X4 620's 2,026 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon II X4 620. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2430M vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 620.
| Feature | Core i5-2430M | Athlon II X4 620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+15% | 2.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Propus (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,015 | 2,026 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2430M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X4 620 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2430M versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 620 — the Core i5-2430M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 620 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 i5-2430M) vs 0 (Athlon II X4 620) — the Core i5-2430M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2430M) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X4 620).
| Feature | Core i5-2430M | Athlon II X4 620 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 32 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-2430M) / not specified (Athlon II X4 620). The Core i5-2430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X4 620 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2430M rivals AMD A8-3500M.
| Feature | Core i5-2430M | Athlon II X4 620 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2430M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon II X4 620 debuted at $99.
| Feature | Core i5-2430M | Athlon II X4 620 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $99-56% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $15 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2009 |
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