CPU
GPU
Core i5-655K
Athlon II X4 615e
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 i5-655K is positioned at rank 1004 and the Athlon II X4 615e is on rank 983, so the Athlon II X4 615e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-655K
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 615e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-655K | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-655K | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+83%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) | ✅ More affordable ($30) |
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 i5-655K and Athlon II X4 615e
Core i5-655K
The Core i5-655K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,017 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon II X4 615e
The Athlon II X4 615e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,018 points. Launch price was $59.
Processing Power
The Core i5-655K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X4 615e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 615e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-655K versus 2.5 GHz on the Athlon II X4 615e — a 32.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-655K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-655K uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X4 615e uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-655K scores 2,017 against the Athlon II X4 615e's 2,018 — a 0% lead for the Athlon II X4 615e. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 560 vs 331, a 51.4% lead for the Core i5-655K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,250 vs 1,161 (7.4% advantage for the Core i5-655K). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-655K vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 615e.
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+38% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+28% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Propus (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,017 | 2,018 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,161 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 560+69% | 331 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,250+8% | 1,161 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-655K uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X4 615e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H55,H57,P55 (Core i5-655K) and AMD 870,AMD 880G,AMD 890FX,AMD 990FX (Athlon II X4 615e).
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i5-655K) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X4 615e). The Core i5-655K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)), while the Athlon II X4 615e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-655K targets Desktop, Athlon II X4 615e targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon II X4 615e rivals Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300.
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Desktop | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-655K launched at $216 MSRP, while the Athlon II X4 615e debuted at $186. At current prices ($55 vs $30), the Athlon II X4 615e is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-655K delivers 36.7 pts/$ vs 67.3 pts/$ for the Athlon II X4 615e — making the Athlon II X4 615e the 58.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-655K | Athlon II X4 615e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $216 | $186-14% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $55 | $30-45% |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.7 | 67.3+83% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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