Core i5-460M vs Athlon II X2 265
Core i5-460M
Athlon II X2 265
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 i5-460M is positioned at rank 7 and the Athlon II X2 265 is on rank 884, so the Core i5-460M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-460M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 265
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-460M | Athlon II X2 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($129) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-460M | Athlon II X2 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+762%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($129) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 i5-460M and Athlon II X2 265
Core i5-460M
The Core i5-460M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,321 points. Launch price was $80.
Athlon II X2 265
The Athlon II X2 265 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,324 points. Launch price was $83.
Processing Power
The Core i5-460M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon II X2 265's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-460M versus 3.3 GHz on the Athlon II X2 265 — a 16.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 265 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-460M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X2 265 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-460M scores 1,321 against the Athlon II X2 265's 1,324 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X2 265. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 343 vs 275, a 22% lead for the Core i5-460M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-460M vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 265.
| Feature | Core i5-460M | Athlon II X2 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.3 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz | 3.3 GHz+30% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,321 | 1,324 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 343+25% | 275 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 520 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-460M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X2 265 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-460M versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X2 265 — the Core i5-460M supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 265 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-460M) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 265) — the Core i5-460M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-460M) and 760G,780G,785G,790GX,870,880G,890GX,890FX (Athlon II X2 265).
| Feature | Core i5-460M | Athlon II X2 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+35433% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 16 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-460M) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X2 265). The Core i5-460M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon II X2 265 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 265 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-460M rivals AMD Turion II M620; Athlon II X2 265 rivals Pentium E6700.
| Feature | Core i5-460M | Athlon II X2 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-460M launched at $80 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 265 debuted at $83. At current prices ($129 vs $15), the Athlon II X2 265 is $114 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-460M delivers 10.2 pts/$ vs 88.3 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 265 — making the Athlon II X2 265 the 158.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-460M | Athlon II X2 265 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $80-4% | $83 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $129 | $15-88% |
| Performance per Dollar | 10.2 | 88.3+766% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-460M and Athlon II X2 265
