A6-5350M vs Athlon II X2 255

A6-5350M vs Athlon II X2 255 Performance Spectrum

A6-5350M

2 / 2

1,199

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X2 255

2 / 2

1,210

+0.9%

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.

A6-5350M vs Athlon II X2 255 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.

A6-5350M vs Athlon II X2 255: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-5350M

2013

Why buy it

✅+21.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8450G, while Athlon II X2 255 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,199 vs 1,210).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 255.

Athlon II X2 255

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike A6-5350M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (265 vs 323).
❌Launch MSRP is still $60 MSRP, while A6-5350M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-5350M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-5350M better than Athlon II X2 255?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A6-5350M is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 255 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 255 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-5350M is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-5350M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 255 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

A6-5350M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A6-5350M vs Athlon II X2 255 Technical Specifications

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

A6-5350M

The A6-5350M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,199 points. Launch price was $70.

Athlon II X2 255

The Athlon II X2 255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,210 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

Both the A6-5350M and Athlon II X2 255 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the A6-5350M versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X2 255 — a 12.1% clock advantage for the A6-5350M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The A6-5350M uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X2 255 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-5350M scores 1,199 against the Athlon II X2 255's 1,210 — a 0.9% lead for the Athlon II X2 255. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 323 vs 265, a 19.7% lead for the A6-5350M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	A6-5350M	Athlon II X2 255
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+13%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2048 kB+100%	1 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark	1,199	1,210
Geekbench 6 Single	323+22%	265
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	500

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Memory & Platform

The A6-5350M uses the FS1r2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X2 255 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A6-5350M versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X2 255 — the A6-5350M supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-5350M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-5350M) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 255) — the A6-5350M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A6-5350M	Athlon II X2 255
Socket	FS1r2	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	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 A6-5350M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8450G), while the Athlon II X2 255 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-5350M targets Budget Laptop, Athlon II X2 255 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: A6-5350M rivals Core i3-3110M; Athlon II X2 255 rivals Pentium E5700.