CPU
GPU
Core i5-3317U
Athlon II X4 615e
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 i5-3317U is positioned at rank 932 and the Athlon II X4 615e is on rank 983, so the Core i5-3317U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3317U
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 615e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3317U | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3317U | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
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 i5-3317U and Athlon II X4 615e
Core i5-3317U
The Core i5-3317U 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon II X4 615e
The Athlon II X4 615e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 2,018 points. Launch price was $59.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3317U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X4 615e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 615e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-3317U versus 2.5 GHz on the Athlon II X4 615e — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3317U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-3317U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon II X4 615e uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3317U scores 2,014 against the Athlon II X4 615e's 2,018 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X4 615e. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3317U vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 615e.
| Feature | Core i5-3317U | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+4% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | 2.5 GHz+47% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Propus (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,014 | 2,018 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,161 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 331 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,161 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3317U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X4 615e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i5-3317U versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 615e — the Core i5-3317U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3317U supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3317U) and AMD 870,AMD 880G,AMD 890FX,AMD 990FX (Athlon II X4 615e).
| Feature | Core i5-3317U | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 16 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon II X4 615e has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-3317U) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X4 615e). The Core i5-3317U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 615e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 615e targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3317U rivals AMD A8-4555M; Athlon II X4 615e rivals Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300.
| Feature | Core i5-3317U | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Gaming |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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