Core i7-3555LE vs Athlon II X3 425e
Core i7-3555LE
Athlon II X3 425e
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 i7-3555LE is positioned at rank 1150 and the Athlon II X3 425e is on rank 620, so the Athlon II X3 425e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3555LE
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X3 425e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3555LE | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($280) | ✅ More affordable ($58) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3555LE | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+383%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($280) | ✅ More affordable ($58) |
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 i7-3555LE and Athlon II X3 425e
Core i7-3555LE
The Core i7-3555LE 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon II X3 425e
The Athlon II X3 425e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 2,239 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3555LE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X3 425e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 425e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE versus 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X3 425e — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-3555LE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-3555LE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon II X3 425e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3555LE scores 2,238 against the Athlon II X3 425e's 2,239 — a 0% lead for the Athlon II X3 425e. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3555LE vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 425e.
| Feature | Core i7-3555LE | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+19% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Rana (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,238 | 2,239 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3555LE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X3 425e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-3555LE | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-3555LE launched at $300 MSRP, while the Athlon II X3 425e debuted at $79. At current prices ($280 vs $58), the Athlon II X3 425e is $222 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3555LE delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 38.6 pts/$ for the Athlon II X3 425e — making the Athlon II X3 425e the 131.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-3555LE | Athlon II X3 425e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $300 | $79-74% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $280 | $58-79% |
| Performance per Dollar | 8.0 | 38.6+383% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2011 |
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