Core i5-680 vs 3015e

Core i5-680

2 Cores4 Thrd73 WWMax: 3.86 GHz2010

3015e

2 Cores4 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-680

2 / 4

2,620

+0.1%

2,618

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i5-680 is positioned at rank 1014 and the 3015e is on rank 416, so the 3015e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-680

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

34985%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

33057%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

24002%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7231%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5728%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5011%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2870%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2832%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2579%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2579%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2550%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2481%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2446%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2436%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2414%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

100%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

100%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

98%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

97%

#1020

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

97%

#1021

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

97%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

96%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

95%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

94%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

93%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

91%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

91%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar 3015e

#125

Core i7-13700H

MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A

99%

#404

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

560%

#405

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

552%

#406

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

507%

#407

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

505%

#408

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

500%

#410

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

483%

#411

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

463%

#412

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

462%

#413

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

450%

#416

3015e

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#421

Core i5-9400H

MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A

99%

#426

Celeron 2981U

MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The 3015e (2020) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-680	3015e
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Pollock (Zen) (2020) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-680 (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-680	3015e
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-680 Benchmark Check

3015e Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-680 and 3015e

Core i5-680

The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 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: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.

3015e

The 3015e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,618 points. Launch price was $50.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-680 and 3015e share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 versus 2.3 GHz on the 3015e — a 50.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-680 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the 3015e uses Pollock (Zen) (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-680 scores 2,620 against the 3015e's 2,618 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-680. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-680 vs 4 MB on the 3015e.

Feature	Core i5-680	3015e
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.86 GHz+68%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+200%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Pollock (Zen) (2020)
PassMark	2,620	2,618

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-680 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the 3015e uses FT5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-680 versus 1600 on the 3015e — the 3015e supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-680) vs 1 (3015e). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-680) vs 8 (3015e) — the Core i5-680 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-680	3015e
Socket	LGA1156	FT5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+104857500%	16
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-680) vs true (3015e). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Core i5-680) and Vega 3 (3015e) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: 3015e rivals Celeron N4120.