Core i7-2820QM vs Athlon PRO 300GE

Core i7-2820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011

Athlon PRO 300GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2820QM

4 / 8

4,379

+0.9%

4,342

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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. The Core i7-2820QM is positioned at rank #1138 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 i7-2820QM

#1126

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3805%

#1127

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3750%

#1128

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3442%

#1129

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3427%

#1130

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3395%

#1132

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3279%

#1133

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3144%

#1134

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3139%

#1135

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3054%

#1138

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

100%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

99%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

99%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

98%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

97%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

97%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

96%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

95%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon PRO 300GE

#205

Core i3-10105

MSRP: $122|Avg: $90

105%

#206

Core i3-13100E

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

105%

#207

Core i9-13900F

MSRP: $524|Avg: $536

105%

#208

Processor 300

MSRP: $82|Avg: $80

105%

#209

Ryzen 5 2600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $145

104%

#210

Ryzen 5 2400GE

MSRP: $169|Avg: $80

104%

#211

Core i9-14900KS

MSRP: $749|Avg: $670

104%

#212

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

MSRP: $449|Avg: $384

103%

#213

Core i3-8100T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $59

103%

#214

Core i7-13700E

MSRP: $390|Avg: $380

102%

#215

Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G

MSRP: $430|Avg: $270

102%

#216

Core i7-9700

MSRP: $333|Avg: $150

101%

#217

Core i5-13500TE

MSRP: $235|Avg: $250

101%

#218

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G

MSRP: $294|Avg: $76

101%

#219

Ryzen 7 PRO 5845

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

100%

#220

Athlon PRO 300GE

MSRP: $50|Avg: $50

100%

#221

Athlon Gold 3150G

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

100%

#222

Core i7-9800X

MSRP: $589|Avg: $210

99%

#223

Ryzen 7 4700G

MSRP: $299|Avg: $235

99%

#224

Ryzen 9 5900

MSRP: $549|Avg: $395

99%

#225

Ryzen 5 7600X3D

MSRP: $299|Avg: $300

99%

#226

Ryzen 5 1600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $144

60%

#226

Core i5-14500T

MSRP: $232|Avg: $267

99%

#227

Core i5-12600

MSRP: $233|Avg: $250

98%

#228

Core i7-11700T

MSRP: $323|Avg: $180

98%

#229

Core i5-10600

MSRP: $244|Avg: $159

98%

#230

Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G

MSRP: $193|Avg: $100

98%

#231

Core i7-8700B

MSRP: $303|Avg: $139

98%

#232

Ryzen 3 2200G

MSRP: $99|Avg: $80

97%

#233

Core i3-9100F

MSRP: $97|Avg: $80

96%

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 Athlon PRO 300GE (2019) utilizes 12 nm technology and DDR4-2666, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2820QM	Athlon PRO 300GE
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($568)	✅ More affordable ($50)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Zen+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2820QM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2820QM	Athlon PRO 300GE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1026%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($568)	✅ More affordable ($50)

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 i7-2820QM Benchmark Check

Athlon PRO 300GE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2820QM and Athlon PRO 300GE

Core i7-2820QM

The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.

Athlon PRO 300GE

The Athlon PRO 300GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,342 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Athlon PRO 300GE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2820QM versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon PRO 300GE — identical boost frequencies. The Core i7-2820QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon PRO 300GE uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2820QM scores 4,379 against the Athlon PRO 300GE's 4,342 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-2820QM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2820QM vs 4 MB on the Athlon PRO 300GE.

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	Athlon PRO 300GE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	12 nm-63%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,379	4,342
Geekbench 6 Single	554	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,763	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon PRO 300GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-2820QM versus DDR4-2666 on the Athlon PRO 300GE — the Core i7-2820QM supports 199% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon PRO 300GE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2820QM) vs 8 (Athlon PRO 300GE) — the Core i7-2820QM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2820QM) and AMD AM4 (Athlon PRO 300GE).

Feature	Core i7-2820QM	Athlon PRO 300GE
Socket	PGA988	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1600+39900%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	32	64 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+100%	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-2820QM) vs AMD-V (Athlon PRO 300GE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2820QM) and Radeon Vega 3 (Athlon PRO 300GE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon PRO 300GE targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.