Core i5-2520M vs Athlon II X3 425e
Core i5-2520M
Athlon II X3 425e
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 i5-2520M is positioned at rank 1083 and the Athlon II X3 425e is on rank 620, so the Athlon II X3 425e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2520M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X3 425e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2520M | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($58) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2520M | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+288%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($58) |
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 i5-2520M and Athlon II X3 425e
Core i5-2520M
The Core i5-2520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon II X3 425e
The Athlon II X3 425e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,239 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2520M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X3 425e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 425e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M versus 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X3 425e — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-2520M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-2520M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X3 425e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2520M scores 2,241 against the Athlon II X3 425e's 2,239 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2520M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2520M vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 425e.
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+19% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 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) | Rana (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,241 | 2,239 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X3 425e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2520M versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 425e — the Core i5-2520M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 425e 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 i5-2520M) vs 0 (Athlon II X3 425e) — the Core i5-2520M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2520M) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 425e).
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i5-2520M) / not specified (Athlon II X3 425e). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II X3 425e requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2520M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon II X3 425e debuted at $79.
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $79-65% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $58 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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