A4-3310MX vs Athlon II X2 250e

A4-3310MX vs Athlon II X2 250e Performance Spectrum

A4-3310MX

2 / 2

1,190

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X2 250e

2 / 2

1,202

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

A4-3310MX vs Athlon II X2 250e FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A4-3310MX vs Athlon II X2 250e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-3310MX

2011

Why buy it

✅+9.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 35W instead of 45W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6480G, while Athlon II X2 250e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,190 vs 1,202).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 250e.

Athlon II X2 250e

2010

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike A4-3310MX.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (250 vs 273).
❌Launch MSRP is still $77 MSRP, while A4-3310MX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌28.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-3310MX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-3310MX better than Athlon II X2 250e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A4-3310MX is ahead with 9.2% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 250e pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 250e is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A4-3310MX is still the much better call for a fresh build. A4-3310MX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $77 MSRP, and it still gives you 9.2% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. Athlon II X2 250e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (15.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A4-3310MX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A4-3310MX vs Athlon II X2 250e Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A4-3310MX

The A4-3310MX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,190 points. Launch price was $50.

Athlon II X2 250e

The Athlon II X2 250e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,202 points. Launch price was $77.

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Processing Power

Both the A4-3310MX and Athlon II X2 250e share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the A4-3310MX versus 3 GHz on the Athlon II X2 250e — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 250e (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The A4-3310MX uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X2 250e uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A4-3310MX scores 1,190 against the Athlon II X2 250e's 1,202 — a 1% lead for the Athlon II X2 250e. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 273 vs 250, a 8.8% lead for the A4-3310MX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	A4-3310MX	Athlon II X2 250e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark	1,190	1,202+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	273+9%	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	470

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Memory & Platform

The A4-3310MX uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X2 250e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A4-3310MX) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 250e) — the A4-3310MX offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A4-3310MX	Athlon II X2 250e
Socket	FS1	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A4-3310MX includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6480G), while the Athlon II X2 250e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-3310MX targets Budget Laptop, Athlon II X2 250e targets Energy Efficient Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-3310MX rivals Pentium B960; Athlon II X2 250e rivals Pentium E5700.