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AMD Athlon 255e vs AMD Athlon 631: Comparison
Athlon 255e vs Athlon 631: the total cores difference
There is no decisive spec gap here. Total cores splits them by a margin most buyers will never feel, Athlon 255e 2 against Athlon 631 4. Performance cores is closer, 2 on the Athlon 255e versus 4 on the Athlon 631. Total threads is closer, 2 on the Athlon 255e versus 4 on the Athlon 631. There is a split on p-core base clock as well, 3.1 GHz on the Athlon 255e versus 2.6 GHz on the Athlon 631. Add l2 cache to that, 2 MB on the Athlon 255e versus 4 MB on the Athlon 631, and the pattern holds. They differ on tdp too, 45 W on the Athlon 255e versus 100 W on the Athlon 631. There is a split on socket as well, AM3 on the Athlon 255e versus FM1 on the Athlon 631. Igpu is not the same on both, Discrete Graphics Card Required on the Athlon 255e versus None on the Athlon 631. They differ on base power too, 45 W on the Athlon 255e versus 100 W on the Athlon 631.
Which should you buy, Athlon 255e or Athlon 631?
The Athlon 255e is the one to take for Athlon platform upgrades or repairs and budget legacy builds, though it is the wrong buy for modern gaming or productivity workloads and new builds. The Athlon 631 suits Athlon platform upgrades or repairs and budget legacy builds, though it is not built for modern gaming or productivity workloads and new builds.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: efficiency cores, integrated graphics, socket status, product line and form factor are identical here. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Athlon 255e and Athlon 631 differ on memory type?
Yes. Memory Type reads DDR3 on the Athlon 255e versus Not Listed on the Athlon 631.
Is the Market Segment the same on the Athlon 255e and Athlon 631?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AMD Athlon 255e
- AMD
- AMD Athlon 631
- AMD
Product Line
- AMD Athlon 255e
- Other
- AMD Athlon 631
- Other
Form Factor
- AMD Athlon 255e
- Desktop
- AMD Athlon 631
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Athlon 255e
- Athlon Legacy
- AMD Athlon 631
- Athlon Legacy
TDP
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 45 W
- AMD Athlon 631
- 100 W
iGPU
- AMD Athlon 255e
- Discrete Graphics Card Required
- AMD Athlon 631
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Athlon 255e
- Desktop
- AMD Athlon 631
- Desktop
Socket
- AMD Athlon 255e
- AM3
- AMD Athlon 631
- FM1
Socket Status
- AMD Athlon 255e
- End of Life
- AMD Athlon 631
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 45nm
- AMD Athlon 631
- 32nm
Total Cores
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 2
- AMD Athlon 631
- 4Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 2
- AMD Athlon 631
- 4Best
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 0
- AMD Athlon 631
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 2
- AMD Athlon 631
- 4Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Athlon 255e
- No
- AMD Athlon 631
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 3.1 GHz
- AMD Athlon 631
- 2.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Athlon 255e
- No
- AMD Athlon 631
- No
L2 Cache
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 2 MB-50%
- AMD Athlon 631
- 4 MBBest
Base Power
- AMD Athlon 255e
- 45 W
- AMD Athlon 631
- 100 W
Memory Type
- AMD Athlon 255e
- DDR3
- AMD Athlon 631
- Not Listed
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Athlon 255e
- No
- AMD Athlon 631
- No
Retail Availability
- AMD Athlon 255e
- Tray OEM
- AMD Athlon 631
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose AMD Athlon 255e if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose AMD Athlon 631 if you want the higher L2 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).