CPU
GPU
Core m5-6Y54
Athlon II X4 641
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 m5-6Y54 is positioned at rank 1132 and the Athlon II X4 641 is on rank 733, so the Athlon II X4 641 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core m5-6Y54
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 641
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core m5-6Y54 | Athlon II X4 641 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($281) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake-Y (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core m5-6Y54 | Athlon II X4 641 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+178%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($281) | ✅ More affordable ($102) |
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 m5-6Y54 and Athlon II X4 641
Core m5-6Y54
The Core m5-6Y54 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,294 points. Launch price was $281.
Athlon II X4 641
The Athlon II X4 641 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 2,313 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core m5-6Y54 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X4 641 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 641 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core m5-6Y54 versus 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X4 641 — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 641 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core m5-6Y54 uses the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Athlon II X4 641 uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core m5-6Y54 scores 2,294 against the Athlon II X4 641's 2,313 — a 0.8% lead for the Athlon II X4 641. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core m5-6Y54 vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 641.
| Feature | Core m5-6Y54 | Athlon II X4 641 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 2.8 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 1.1 GHz | 2.8 GHz+155% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake-Y (2015) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 2,294 | 2,313 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 875 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,648 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core m5-6Y54 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X4 641 uses FM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to LPDDR3-1866 memory speed. The Athlon II X4 641 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Core m5-6Y54) vs 16 (Athlon II X4 641) — the Athlon II X4 641 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-Y (Core m5-6Y54) and AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 641).
| Feature | Core m5-6Y54 | Athlon II X4 641 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1515 | FM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR3-1866 | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 10 | 16+60% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core m5-6Y54) / not specified (Athlon II X4 641). The Core m5-6Y54 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 515), while the Athlon II X4 641 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m5-6Y54 targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core m5-6Y54 rivals Pentium Gold 4415Y.
| Feature | Core m5-6Y54 | Athlon II X4 641 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 515 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Enthusiast | — |
Value Analysis
The Core m5-6Y54 launched at $281 MSRP, while the Athlon II X4 641 debuted at $102. At current prices ($281 vs $102), the Athlon II X4 641 is $179 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core m5-6Y54 delivers 8.2 pts/$ vs 22.7 pts/$ for the Athlon II X4 641 — making the Athlon II X4 641 the 94.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core m5-6Y54 | Athlon II X4 641 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $281 | $102-64% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $281 | $102-64% |
| Performance per Dollar | 8.2 | 22.7+177% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2012 |
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