Core i5-480M vs Athlon X2 340
Core i5-480M
Athlon X2 340
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 i5-480M is positioned at rank 6 and the Athlon X2 340 is on rank 462, so the Core i5-480M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-480M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 340
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-480M | Athlon X2 340 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($77) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-480M | Athlon X2 340 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+416%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($77) | ✅ 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 i5-480M and Athlon X2 340
Core i5-480M
The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.
Athlon X2 340
The Athlon X2 340 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,333 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-480M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon X2 340's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M versus 3.6 GHz on the Athlon X2 340 — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 340 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-480M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X2 340 uses Trinity (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-480M scores 1,327 against the Athlon X2 340's 1,333 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon X2 340.
| Feature | Core i5-480M | Athlon X2 340 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.6 GHz+23% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz | 3.2 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (total)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Trinity (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,327 | 1,333 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 397 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 549 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-480M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 340 uses FM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-480M versus DDR3-1600 on the Athlon X2 340 — the Core i5-480M supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 340 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-480M) and A55,A75,A85X,A88X (Athlon X2 340).
| Feature | Core i5-480M | Athlon X2 340 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+35433% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 32 GB+419430300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-480M) vs AMD-V (Athlon X2 340). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon X2 340 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 340 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Core i5-480M | Athlon X2 340 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-480M launched at $81 MSRP, while the Athlon X2 340 debuted at $30. At current prices ($77 vs $15), the Athlon X2 340 is $62 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-480M delivers 17.2 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Athlon X2 340 — making the Athlon X2 340 the 135% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-480M | Athlon X2 340 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $81 | $30-63% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $77 | $15-81% |
| Performance per Dollar | 17.2 | 88.9+417% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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