AMD Athlon II X4 635
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
AMD Athlon II X4 635 Specifications
Athlon II X4 635 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD Athlon II X4 635 features 4 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Athlon II X4 635 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Athlon II X4 635 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Athlon II X4 635 by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's Athlon II X4 635 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Athlon II X4 635 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Athlon II X4 635's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
K10 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Athlon II X4 635 is built on AMD's 45 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Athlon II X4 635 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
K10 Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Athlon II X4 635 by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Athlon II X4 635 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD Athlon II X4 635 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 95W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Socket AM3 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Athlon II X4 635 uses the AMD Socket AM3 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Socket AM3 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Athlon II X4 635 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Athlon II X4 635 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
AMD's Athlon II X4 635 Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The AMD Athlon II X4 635 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the Athlon II X4 635 provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Athlon II X4 635 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Athlon II X4 635 is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Athlon II X4 635 by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
Athlon II X4 635 Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how AMD Athlon II X4 635 performs in parallel rendering workloads.
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on AMD Athlon II X4 635. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of AMD Athlon II X4 635. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of AMD Athlon II X4 635 after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how AMD Athlon II X4 635 maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
About AMD Athlon II X4 635
The AMD Athlon II X4 635, built on a 45 nm process, leverages its four physical cores to handle multi-threaded workloads effectively for its era. With a base clock speed of 2.90 GHz and no boost frequency, its performance is consistent but limited compared to modern processors with dynamic clock scaling. The quad-core configuration was a significant advantage in an age where software was rapidly adopting parallel processing, making this chip a capable budget contender for multitasking. Its primary strengths and ideal use cases are clear from its specifications.
- Solid performance in legacy multi-threaded applications like video encoding.
- Adequate for basic office productivity and web browsing with multiple tabs.
- Capable of handling older, less demanding PC games from its release period.
Examining the cache configuration reveals a key distinction from higher-end Phenom II chips, as the Propus-based processor lacks an L3 cache. This 45 nm chip relies solely on its L2 cache, with 512KB dedicated to each core, totaling 2MB. While sufficient for the time, this simpler hierarchy can bottleneck performance in data-intensive tasks where a large, shared L3 cache is beneficial. The absence of L3 cache was a cost-cutting measure that defined the Athlon II series' position in the market.
Power consumption is a notable aspect, with the chip rated at a 95W TDP, which was standard for a mainstream quad-core CPU in 2010. While not considered highly efficient by today's standards, this thermal design power was manageable with basic cooling solutions. When evaluating energy efficiency, this processor from AMD provides a baseline for its generation, balancing four cores with acceptable power draw for a desktop environment. It served as an affordable entry point into quad-core computing without excessive energy demands.
This particular AMD processor demonstrates its capabilities well in synthetic benchmarks like Cinebench, where its multicore scores show a clear advantage over contemporary dual-core alternatives. The single-core performance, however, is a limiting factor, highlighting its age in applications that are not well-threaded. For users today, the Athlon II X4 635 is best viewed as a relic capable of running lightweight operating systems and legacy software.
- Functioning as a foundation for a basic home server or file storage system.
- Supporting light-duty tasks in a retro gaming or legacy software build.
- Acting as an educational tool for understanding older PC hardware architectures.
The Intel Equivalent of Athlon II X4 635
Looking for a similar processor from Intel? The Intel Core i5-750s offers comparable performance and features in the Intel lineup.
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