AMD Athlon X4 830 vs Intel Core i5-3360M Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3360M and AMD Athlon X4 830 are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their benchmark scores land them in a surprisingly tight cluster. The data shows a near dead heat across every tested workload, with the AMD part taking a narrow but consistent lead in all five head-to-head comparisons. This analysis breaks down where each chip stands, what architectural choices drive their performance, and which user should consider each based strictly on the measured results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a picture of extreme parity, with the AMD Athlon X4 830 edging out the Intel Core i5-3360M in every single test. The margins, however, are razor-thin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Athlon scores 248 against the Intel’s 246, a delta of just -0.8%. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the AMD part posts 1035 versus 1029, a -0.6% difference.

Single-core performance tells the same story. The Athlon X4 830 wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 146 points over Intel’s 145, a -0.7% gap. In Cinebench R23, the results mirror this exactly: the AMD chip scores 2465 in multi-core and 348 in single-core, while the Intel chip manages 2451 and 346, respectively. Each of those wins is a -0.6% delta.

The Intel i5-3360M does not register a single victory in the head-to-head suite, but its losses are so marginal that they are effectively within run-to-run variance. What is more telling is the overall average benchmark score. The Athlon X4 830 averages 848 points, while the Intel chip averages 835. That 13-point gap places the AMD part in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, versus the Intel part’s 22nd percentile.

Looking at the nearest rivals for context, the Intel i5-3360M sits essentially level with several other chips: the Intel Xeon X3450 averages 837 (-0.2%), the Intel Core i5-5200U averages 838 (-0.3%), and the Intel Core i5-3380M also averages 838 (-0.4%). The Athlon X4 830, meanwhile, is just 0.4% behind the Intel Xeon X5492’s 852 average and 0.6% ahead of both the Intel Core i7-3520M and the AMD FX-8800P, which each average 843. This positioning shows both CPUs landing in a dense performance tier where a few points separate dozens of processors.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design philosophies and process technologies. The Intel Core i5-3360M is built on a 22 nm process at Intel’s foundry, using the Ivy Bridge architecture. It is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading, providing 2 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is 2.80 GHz, boosting up to 3.50 GHz. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 118 mm². This is a mobile part, designed for the Intel BGA 1023 socket, with a 35 W TDP. It includes integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, which the AMD chip lacks entirely.

The AMD Athlon X4 830, in contrast, is a desktop processor built on GlobalFoundries’ 28 nm process, using the Steamroller architecture based on the Kaveri codename. It is a true quad-core design with 4 cores and 4 threads, no SMT. The base clock is slightly higher at 3.00 GHz, with a boost of 3.40 GHz. Cache totals are different: 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache present. The die is substantially larger at 245 mm² and packs 2,411 million transistors. It uses the AMD Socket FM2+ and has a much higher 65 W TDP. The memory controller supports DDR3 with dual-channel access and a rated bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, plus PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part has no listed memory bandwidth or PCIe specs in the data.

Another key difference is the unlocked multiplier on the AMD chip, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel i5-3360M is locked. The AMD part is marked as end-of-life and has no release date listed, while the Intel chip launched in May 2012. Both lack ECC memory support and neither has any listed 3D V-Cache.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark data, the AMD Athlon X4 830 wins every measured workload, but the margins are so small that the practical victory is more about consistency than dominance. The AMD chip’s largest advantage is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it leads by 2 points (248 vs 246). In every other test, the lead is 1 point (single-core tests) or 6 points (R20 and R23 multi-core).

The Intel Core i5-3360M’s strengths lie outside the benchmark suite. It has integrated graphics, which the Athlon X4 830 does not, making it a viable option for a system without a discrete GPU. Its lower 35 W TDP versus 65 W also suggests it is far more power-efficient, a critical factor for mobile use. The Intel chip’s smaller 118 mm² die and 22 nm process indicate a more compact, thermally manageable design compared to AMD’s 245 mm² die.

For applications that rely on single-threaded performance, the data shows a dead tie: the Athlon wins by 1 point in Cinebench R20 single-core and 2 points in R23 single-core. Neither chip offers a meaningful advantage in lightly threaded tasks. In multi-threaded workloads, the Athlon’s two extra physical cores give it a slight edge, but the Intel chip’s Hyper-Threading closes the gap to within 0.6-0.8%.

The AMD chip’s unlocked multiplier is a feature Intel lacks, which could allow users to push performance beyond stock settings, though no overclocked benchmarks are provided. The Intel chip’s 4 MB smaller L2 cache and 3 MB L3 versus AMD’s 4 MB L2 and no L3 reflects different cache strategies, but the benchmark parity suggests neither approach yields a decisive real-world advantage in the tested workloads.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear but narrow verdict: the AMD Athlon X4 830 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded, yet the performance gap is negligible for most real-world use. If the decision rests purely on the Cinebench and Geekbench scores, the Athlon X4 830 wins all five head-to-head tests and holds a higher average benchmark score (848 vs 835). Its 4 physical cores provide a slight multi-threaded edge, and its higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.80 GHz) contributes to its single-core lead.

However, the Intel Core i5-3360M is not without merit. Its integrated graphics and dramatically lower 35 W TDP make it the only viable choice for a compact, power-sensitive mobile system where a discrete GPU is not an option. The Intel chip’s 22 nm process and smaller die suggest better thermal characteristics, and its 3 MB L3 cache may benefit certain workloads, though the benchmark data does not capture such a scenario.

For a desktop user with a discrete GPU, the Athlon X4 830 is the pick based on raw performance, even if the margin is under 1% in most tests. The unlocked multiplier also offers headroom absent from the Intel part. For a laptop user or anyone prioritizing power efficiency and integrated graphics, the Intel i5-3360M is the logical choice, accepting a minor performance deficit. Neither chip is a clear winner; the data shows two processors trading blows within a 13-point average score range, placing them in the same performance tier as the Intel Xeon X3450, Core i5-5200U, and Core i7-3520M.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 830 averages 848 points, which is 13 points higher than the Intel Core i5-3360M’s 835 points. This places the AMD part in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, versus the Intel part’s 22nd percentile.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Athlon X4 830 scores 2465, while the Intel i5-3360M scores 2451. The AMD part is 0.6% faster in this test, a difference of 14 points.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-3360M includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. The AMD Athlon X4 830 has no listed integrated graphics, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i5-3360M has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD Athlon X4 830 has a 65 W TDP. The Intel part consumes nearly half the power of the AMD part.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 830 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-3360M has 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading.

Q: Is the AMD chip overclockable?

A: Yes, the Athlon X4 830 has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The Intel Core i5-3360M has a locked multiplier and does not support overclocking.