A6-5200 vs Athlon 64 FX-74

AMD

A6-5200

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2 GHz2013
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VS
AMD

Athlon 64 FX-74

2 Cores2 Thrd125 WWMax: 3 GHz2006
Similar parts
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A6-5200 vs Athlon 64 FX-74 Performance Spectrum

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.

A6-5200 vs Athlon 64 FX-74: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-5200

2013

Why buy it

  • +0.8% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 25W instead of 125W, a 100W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8400, while Athlon 64 FX-74 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (215 vs 400).

Athlon 64 FX-74

2006

Why buy it

  • +86% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,658 vs 1,672).
  • Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while A6-5200 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 400% higher power demand at 125W vs 25W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A6-5200 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-5200 better than Athlon 64 FX-74?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon 64 FX-74 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 6 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A6-5200 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-5200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
A6-5200 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-5200 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Athlon 64 FX-74 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on F.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A6-5200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-5200 vs Athlon 64 FX-74 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A6-5200

The A6-5200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,672 points. Launch price was $70.

AMD

Athlon 64 FX-74

The Athlon 64 FX-74 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Novembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $500.

Processing Power

The A6-5200 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon 64 FX-74 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A6-5200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the A6-5200 versus 3 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-74 — a 40% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-74. The A6-5200 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the A6-5200 scores 1,672 against the Athlon 64 FX-74's 1,658 — a 0.8% lead for the A6-5200. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 215 vs 400, a 60.2% lead for the Athlon 64 FX-74 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureA6-5200Athlon 64 FX-74
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2 GHz
3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
2048 kB+100%
1 MB
Process
28 nm-69%
90 nm
Architecture
Kabini (2013−2014)
Windsor (2006−2007)
PassMark
1,672
1,658
Geekbench 6 Single
215
400+86%
Geekbench 6 Multi
750
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A6-5200 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 uses F (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A6-5200 versus DDR2 on the Athlon 64 FX-74 — the A6-5200 supports 79900% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 FX-74 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (A6-5200) vs 2 (Athlon 64 FX-74). PCIe lanes: 8 (A6-5200) vs 16 (Athlon 64 FX-74) — the Athlon 64 FX-74 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureA6-5200Athlon 64 FX-74
Socket
FT3
F
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600+79900%
DDR2
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
16 GB+100%
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon 64 FX-74 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A6-5200 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8400), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-5200 targets Entry Laptop, Athlon 64 FX-74 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A6-5200 rivals Pentium N3510; Athlon 64 FX-74 rivals Pentium Extreme Edition 965.

FeatureA6-5200Athlon 64 FX-74
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 8400
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Entry Laptop
Budget