A6-3600 vs Xeon E5502
A6-3600
Xeon E5502
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A6-3600 is positioned at rank 613 and the Xeon E5502 is on rank 893, so the A6-3600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A6-3600
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5502
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A6-3600 | Xeon E5502 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A6-3600 | Xeon E5502 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+55%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A6-3600 and Xeon E5502
A6-3600
The A6-3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,718 points. Launch price was $70.
Xeon E5502
The Xeon E5502 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,725 points. Launch price was $95.
Processing Power
The A6-3600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5502 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6-3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3600 versus 1.87 GHz on the Xeon E5502 — a 24.8% clock advantage for the A6-3600 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The A6-3600 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5502 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3600 scores 1,718 against the Xeon E5502's 1,725 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5502. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 253 vs 200, a 23.4% lead for the A6-3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-3600 vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5502.
| Feature | A6-3600 | Xeon E5502 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+28% | 1.87 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz+13% | 1.86 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Gainestown (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,718 | 1,725 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 253+27% | 200 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 800 |
Memory & Platform
The A6-3600 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5502 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. The Xeon E5502 supports up to 144 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 160% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (A6-3600) vs 3 (Xeon E5502). PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-3600) vs 32 (Xeon E5502) — the Xeon E5502 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75 (A6-3600) and Intel 5500,Intel 5520,Intel X58 (Xeon E5502).
| Feature | A6-3600 | Xeon E5502 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR3-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 144 GB+800% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 3+50% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 32+100% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (A6-3600) vs true (Xeon E5502). The A6-3600 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6530D), while the Xeon E5502 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3600 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A6-3600 rivals Pentium G630.
| Feature | A6-3600 | Xeon E5502 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6530D | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | true |
| Target Use | Budget Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The A6-3600 launched at $95 MSRP, while the Xeon E5502 debuted at $188. At current prices ($25 vs $39), the A6-3600 is $14 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A6-3600 delivers 68.7 pts/$ vs 44.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5502 — making the A6-3600 the 43.4% better value option.
| Feature | A6-3600 | Xeon E5502 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $95-49% | $188 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-36% | $39 |
| Performance per Dollar | 68.7+55% | 44.2 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2009 |
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