Core i5-430M vs Athlon 64 FX-60
Core i5-430M
Athlon 64 FX-60
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 i5-430M is positioned at rank 12 and the Athlon 64 FX-60 is on rank 1119, so the Core i5-430M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-430M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-60
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Athlon 64 FX-60 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($33) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,000) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Toledo (2006) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-430M | Athlon 64 FX-60 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2943%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($33) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,000) |
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 i5-430M and Athlon 64 FX-60
Core i5-430M
The Core i5-430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 1,210 points. Launch price was $79.
Athlon 64 FX-60
The Athlon 64 FX-60 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toledo (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 110 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,205 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-430M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon 64 FX-60's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core i5-430M versus 2.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-60 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-60. The Core i5-430M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon 64 FX-60 uses Toledo (2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-430M scores 1,210 against the Athlon 64 FX-60's 1,205 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-430M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 250, a 33.3% lead for the Core i5-430M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 750 vs 480 (43.9% advantage for the Core i5-430M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-430M vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-60.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Athlon 64 FX-60 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.53 GHz | 2.6 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.26 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 2 MB+700% |
| Process | 32 nm-64% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Toledo (2006) |
| PassMark | 1,210 | 1,205 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350+40% | 250 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 750+56% | 480 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-430M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 FX-60 uses 939 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-430M versus DDR-400 on the Athlon 64 FX-60 — the Core i5-430M supports -203% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-430M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-430M) vs 0 (Athlon 64 FX-60) — the Core i5-430M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55 (Core i5-430M) and nForce4,K8T890 (Athlon 64 FX-60).
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Athlon 64 FX-60 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | 939 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR-400 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon 64 FX-60 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-430M) vs None (Athlon 64 FX-60). The Core i5-430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Athlon 64 FX-60 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-430M targets Performance Laptop, Athlon 64 FX-60 targets Gaming/Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i5-430M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Athlon 64 FX-60 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | None |
| Target Use | Performance Laptop | Gaming/Enthusiast |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($33 vs $1000), the Core i5-430M is $967 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-430M delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 1.2 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 FX-60 — making the Core i5-430M the 187.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-430M | Athlon 64 FX-60 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $1031 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $33-97% | $1000 |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.7+2958% | 1.2 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2006 |
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