Core i5-3320M vs Athlon II X4 740
Core i5-3320M
Athlon II X4 740
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 i5-3320M is positioned at rank 65 and the Athlon II X4 740 is on rank 522, so the Core i5-3320M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3320M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 740
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3320M | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Piledriver / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3320M | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1032%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
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 i5-3320M and Athlon II X4 740
Core i5-3320M
The Core i5-3320M 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,660 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon II X4 740
The Athlon II X4 740 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Piledriver architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,677 points. Launch price was $71.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3320M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X4 740 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 740 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M versus 3.7 GHz on the Athlon II X4 740 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 740 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-3320M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon II X4 740 uses Piledriver (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3320M scores 2,660 against the Athlon II X4 740's 2,677 — a 0.6% lead for the Athlon II X4 740.
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.2 GHz+23% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 4 MB+1500% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Piledriver |
| PassMark | 2,660 | 2,677 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3320M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X4 740 uses FM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i5-3320M versus DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 740 — the Core i5-3320M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 740 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3320M) and AMD FM2 (Athlon II X4 740).
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 64 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-3320M) / not specified (Athlon II X4 740). The Core i5-3320M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3320M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon II X4 740 debuted at $71.
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $71-68% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $20 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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