Core i7-3517U vs Athlon II X4 631
Core i7-3517U
Athlon II X4 631
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 i7-3517U is positioned at rank 340 and the Athlon II X4 631 is on rank 651, so the Core i7-3517U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3517U
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 631
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3517U | Athlon II X4 631 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3517U | Athlon II X4 631 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 i7-3517U and Athlon II X4 631
Core i7-3517U
The Core i7-3517U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,108 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon II X4 631
The Athlon II X4 631 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,118 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3517U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X4 631 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 631 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-3517U versus 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X4 631 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-3517U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon II X4 631 uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517U scores 2,108 against the Athlon II X4 631's 2,118 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon II X4 631. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517U vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 631.
| Feature | Core i7-3517U | Athlon II X4 631 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+15% | 2.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2.6 GHz+37% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 2,108 | 2,118 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3517U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X4 631 uses FM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-3517U versus DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 631 — the Core i7-3517U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 631 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3517U) and AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 631).
| Feature | Core i7-3517U | Athlon II X4 631 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | FM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | 64 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-3517U) / not specified (Athlon II X4 631). The Core i7-3517U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon II X4 631 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3517U rivals AMD A10-4655M.
| Feature | Core i7-3517U | Athlon II X4 631 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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