CPU
GPU
Core i5-3470
Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
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. The Core i5-3470 is positioned at rank #684 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3470
Performance Per Dollar Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3470 | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($55) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Picasso (2019−2022) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3470 | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+28%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($55) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) |
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 i5-3470 and Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
Core i5-3470
The Core i5-3470 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.
Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 4,633 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3470 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE's 4,633 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3470. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470 vs 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE.
| Feature | Core i5-3470 | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+6% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm | 12 nm-45% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Picasso (2019−2022) |
| PassMark | 4,663 | 4,633 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3470 | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 8 |
Advanced Features
The Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Vega 3), while the Core i5-3470 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i5-3470 | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | AMD Radeon Vega 3 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3470 launched at $184 MSRP, while the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE debuted at $108. At current prices ($55 vs $70), the Core i5-3470 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 84.8 pts/$ vs 66.2 pts/$ for the Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE — making the Core i5-3470 the 24.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3470 | Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $184 | $108-41% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $55-21% | $70 |
| Performance per Dollar | 84.8+28% | 66.2 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2020 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-3470 and Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE
