Core i7-2920XM vs Athlon PRO 300GE
Core i7-2920XM
Athlon PRO 300GE
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. The Core i7-2920XM is positioned at rank #717 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2920XM
Performance Per Dollar Athlon PRO 300GE
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2920XM | Athlon PRO 300GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2920XM | Athlon PRO 300GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 i7-2920XM and Athlon PRO 300GE
Core i7-2920XM
The Core i7-2920XM 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,336 points. Launch price was $1,096.
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 i7-2920XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Athlon PRO 300GE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2920XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-2920XM versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon PRO 300GE — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-2920XM. The Core i7-2920XM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon PRO 300GE uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2920XM scores 4,336 against the Athlon PRO 300GE's 4,342 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon PRO 300GE. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2920XM vs 4 MB on the Athlon PRO 300GE.
| Feature | Core i7-2920XM | Athlon PRO 300GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+3% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 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 | 4,336 | 4,342 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2920XM 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 i7-2920XM versus DDR4-2666 on the Athlon PRO 300GE — the Core i7-2920XM 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 i7-2920XM) vs 8 (Athlon PRO 300GE) — the Core i7-2920XM offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2920XM) and AMD AM4 (Athlon PRO 300GE).
| Feature | Core i7-2920XM | 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
Only the Core i7-2920XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-2920XM) vs AMD-V (Athlon PRO 300GE). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2920XM) 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 i7-2920XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.
| Feature | Core i7-2920XM | Athlon PRO 300GE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon Vega 3 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
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