A6-5357M vs Athlon II X2 255

A6-5357M vs Athlon II X2 255 Performance Spectrum

A6-5357M

2 / 2

1,219

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X2 255

2 / 2

1,210

0.0%

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.

A6-5357M 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.

A6-5357M 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.

A6-5357M

2013

Why buy it

✅+43.4% 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

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 255.

Athlon II X2 255

2010

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike A6-5357M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (265 vs 380).
❌Lower PassMark (1,210 vs 1,219).
❌Launch MSRP is still $60 MSRP, while A6-5357M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-5357M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-5357M better than Athlon II X2 255?

Yes. A6-5357M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A6-5357M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-5357M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-5357M is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-5357M 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?

A6-5357M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-5357M vs Athlon II X2 255 Technical Specifications

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

A6-5357M

The A6-5357M 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: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FP2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,219 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 A6-5357M and Athlon II X2 255 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the A6-5357M versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X2 255 — a 12.1% clock advantage for the A6-5357M (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The A6-5357M uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X2 255 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A6-5357M scores 1,219 against the Athlon II X2 255's 1,210 — a 0.7% lead for the A6-5357M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 380 vs 265, a 35.7% lead for the A6-5357M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	A6-5357M	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	512K (per core)+51100%	1 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark	1,219	1,210
Geekbench 6 Single	380+43%	265
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	500

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Memory & Platform

The A6-5357M uses the FP2 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 A6-5357M versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X2 255 — the A6-5357M supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A6-5357M) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 255) — the A6-5357M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A6-5357M	Athlon II X2 255
Socket	FP2	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	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 A6-5357M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8450G), while the Athlon II X2 255 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-5357M targets Budget Laptop, Athlon II X2 255 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: A6-5357M rivals Core i3-3120M; Athlon II X2 255 rivals Pentium E5700.