Core i5-3320M vs Athlon X4 970
Core i5-3320M
Athlon X4 970
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 X4 970 is on rank 582, 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 X4 970
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3320M | Athlon X4 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($85) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3320M | Athlon X4 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+163%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($85) |
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 X4 970
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 X4 970
The Athlon X4 970 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,644 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3320M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon X4 970 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 970 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M versus 4 GHz on the Athlon X4 970 — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 970 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-3320M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon X4 970 uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3320M scores 2,660 against the Athlon X4 970's 2,644 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3320M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3320M vs 0 kB on the Athlon X4 970.
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon X4 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 4 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+46% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-21% | 28 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,660 | 2,644 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3320M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon X4 970 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i5-3320M versus DDR4-2400 on the Athlon X4 970 — the Core i5-3320M supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 970 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. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3320M) vs 8 (Athlon X4 970) — the Core i5-3320M offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3320M) and AMD AM4 (Athlon X4 970).
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon X4 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+39900% | DDR4-2400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 64 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+100% | 8 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-3320M) / not specified (Athlon X4 970). The Core i5-3320M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon X4 970 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon X4 970 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 X4 970 debuted at $85.
| Feature | Core i5-3320M | Athlon X4 970 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $85-62% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $85 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2017 |
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