AMD Athlon 5370
AMD Athlon 5370: Review and Practical Guide for Budget Builds (2025)
Introduction
The AMD Athlon 5370 processor, released in 2014, is still used in ultra-budget builds. Despite its outdated architecture, it remains an accessible solution for basic tasks. In 2025, its relevance is debatable, but we'll explore who and why might still find this model useful.
1. Key Specifications: What's Under the Hood?
Jaguar Architecture and 28nm Process
The Athlon 5370 is built on the Jaguar microarchitecture, which debuted in 2013. It is a 4-core CPU without support for multithreading (4 cores / 4 threads). The 28nm process looks outdated in 2025—modern Intel and AMD processors use 5–7nm processes, offering greater energy efficiency and performance.
Performance: Numbers and Reality
According to Geekbench 6 (2025):
- Single-Core Test: 247 points.
- Multi-Core Test: 636 points.
For comparison, a modern budget Intel Celeron N5105 (2021) scores around ~800/2000 points. The Athlon 5370 can handle office applications (Word, Excel), web browsing (up to 10 tabs), and 1080p video, but “struggles” with rendering or working in Photoshop.
Integrated Radeon R3 Graphics 128CU
The built-in GCN 1.0 graphics supports DirectX 12, but its power is only sufficient for:
- 2010s games at low settings: CS:GO — 30–40 FPS (720p), Minecraft — 45–50 FPS.
- Video playback: 1080p — no issues, 4K — not supported.
Key Feature: TDP of only 25W. This enables the creation of silent systems with passive cooling.
2. Compatible Motherboards: Finding Rare Components
AM1 Socket and Chipsets
The processor uses the AM1 socket and is compatible with A50M, A68H chipsets. By 2025, new AM1 motherboards are nearly nonexistent. The only options are remnants in warehouses or the used market.
Example Models:
- ASUS AM1M-A (price in 2025: $70–90 if you find a new one).
- ASRock AM1H-ITX (compact Mini-ITX format).
Important:
- Such motherboards lack USB 3.2, PCIe 4.0, or M.2 for NVMe.
- Maximum interface speeds: SATA III, USB 3.0, PCIe 2.0.
3. Supported Memory: DDR3 Limitations
The Athlon 5370 only works with DDR3-1600/1333 MHz. The theoretical maximum volume is 32GB, but in practice most AM1 boards support up to 16GB.
- For an office PC, 8GB (2x4GB) is sufficient.
- For a media center, you can add 16GB, but the performance increase will be minimal.
Problem: DDR3 is outdated; new modules in 2025 are expensive (8GB — $35–40). It’s more advantageous to look for used ones.
4. Power Supplies: Minimum Power Requirements
The processor itself consumes up to 25W, but considering the motherboard, SSD, and fans, the overall system power consumption rarely exceeds 60–80W.
Recommendations:
- A power supply of 200–300W (e.g., FSP Hyper K 300W, $35).
- For a completely passive build, PicoPSU with an external adapter is suitable.
Important: Do not use cheap noname power supplies—they may damage components.
5. Pros and Cons: Who Is It Suitable For?
Advantages:
- Ultra-low power consumption.
- Silent operation (can use a passive cooler).
- Affordable price (new processor in 2025 — $45–50).
Disadvantages:
- Weak performance in multitasking.
- No support for DDR4, NVMe, USB-C.
- Limited upgrade options: the AM1 socket is dead, with no replacements.
6. Use Cases: Where Is the CPU Still Relevant?
Office PC
- Document work, email, Zoom.
- Example: A build based on Athlon 5370 + 8GB DDR3 + 240GB SSD will cost $150–200.
Media Center
- Playback of 1080p video (through VLC or Kodi).
- Limitation: No hardware decoding for H.265—4K is not supported.
Retro Gaming
- Running games from the 2000s-2010s: Half-Life 2, World of Warcraft Classic.
7. Comparison with Competitors: What’s Better in 2025?
Intel Celeron J4125 (2020)
- Pros: DDR4, HDMI 2.0, 4K support.
- Cons: more expensive ($80–100).
- Conclusion: Better in all respects if the budget allows.
AMD Ryzen 3 3200U (Laptop APU)
- Pros: Zen architecture, Vega 3 graphics.
- Cons: Hard to find in desktop builds.
8. Assembly Tips: How to Avoid Mistakes
1. Case Selection: Mini-ITX or compact Micro-ATX. Example: Cooler Master Elite 110 ($50).
2. Cooling: Even a stock cooler will suffice. For a quiet system—Noctua NH-L9a ($45).
3. Storage: Only SATA SSD (e.g., Kingston A400 480GB — $35).
4. Network: Add a Wi-Fi adapter (TP-Link Archer T4E — $25), as AM1 motherboards lack an integrated module.
9. Final Conclusion: Who and Why?
The Athlon 5370 in 2025 should only be considered for:
- Budget office PCs, where minimal price is crucial.
- Media center builds for FullHD content.
- Experiments (for example, creating a home file server).
Do not choose this processor if:
- You need to work with 4K, modern games, or heavy applications.
- You plan to upgrade in the future.
Conclusion
The AMD Athlon 5370 is an example of the “longevity” of outdated technologies. It is suitable for those needing a maximally affordable PC for basic tasks. However, in 2025 even budget Intel N100 or AMD Ryzen 3 5300U offer three times the performance for $100–150. The choice is yours: save now or prepare for the future.