CPU
GPU
Core i5-520M
Athlon X2 L310
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 i5-520M is positioned at rank 1139 and the Athlon X2 L310 is on rank 933, so the Athlon X2 L310 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-520M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 L310
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-520M | Athlon X2 L310 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Conesus (2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-520M | Athlon X2 L310 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1038%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
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 i5-520M and Athlon X2 L310
Core i5-520M
The Core i5-520M 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,727 points. Launch price was $225.
Athlon X2 L310
The Athlon X2 L310 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Conesus (2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,747 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-520M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon X2 L310's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-520M versus 1.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 L310 — a 83.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-520M. The Core i5-520M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X2 L310 uses Conesus (2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-520M scores 1,727 against the Athlon X2 L310's 1,747 — a 1.2% lead for the Athlon X2 L310. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 360 vs 120, a 100% lead for the Core i5-520M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 695 vs 213 (106.2% advantage for the Core i5-520M).
| Feature | Core i5-520M | Athlon X2 L310 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.93 GHz+144% | 1.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Conesus (2009) |
| PassMark | 1,727 | 1,747+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 360+200% | 120 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 695+226% | 213 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 L310 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-520M versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 L310 — the Core i5-520M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-520M supports up to 8 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 i5-520M) vs 0 (Athlon X2 L310) — the Core i5-520M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-520M) and Socket S1 (Athlon X2 L310).
| Feature | Core i5-520M | Athlon X2 L310 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+53200% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 4 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-520M) vs Yes (Athlon X2 L310). The Core i5-520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon X2 L310 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 L310 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-520M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.
| Feature | Core i5-520M | Athlon X2 L310 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | Yes |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-520M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon X2 L310 debuted at $100.
| Feature | Core i5-520M | Athlon X2 L310 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $100-56% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $20 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2009 |
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