A8-3550MX vs Athlon X2 QL-66

A8-3550MX vs Athlon X2 QL-66 Performance Spectrum

A8-3550MX

4 / 4

1,687

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon X2 QL-66

2 / 2

1,695

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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.

A8-3550MX vs Athlon X2 QL-66 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.

A8-3550MX vs Athlon X2 QL-66: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-3550MX

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6620G, while Athlon X2 QL-66 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,687 vs 1,695).
❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.

Athlon X2 QL-66

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while A8-3550MX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-3550MX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 QL-66 better than A8-3550MX?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, A8-3550MX is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X2 QL-66 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X2 QL-66 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon X2 QL-66 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 QL-66 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that A8-3550MX is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A8-3550MX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A8-3550MX vs Athlon X2 QL-66 Technical Specifications

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

A8-3550MX

The A8-3550MX 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 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,687 points. Launch price was $90.

Athlon X2 QL-66

The Athlon X2 QL-66 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Lion (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,695 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-3550MX packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon X2 QL-66 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-3550MX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the A8-3550MX versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-66 — a 20.4% clock advantage for the A8-3550MX. The A8-3550MX uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 uses Lion (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3550MX scores 1,687 against the Athlon X2 QL-66's 1,695 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon X2 QL-66.

Feature	A8-3550MX	Athlon X2 QL-66
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Lion (2008−2009)
PassMark	1,687	1,695
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-3550MX uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 uses S1g2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the A8-3550MX versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-66 — the A8-3550MX supports 139.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-3550MX supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (A8-3550MX) vs 0 (Athlon X2 QL-66) — the A8-3550MX offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A8-3550MX	Athlon X2 QL-66
Socket	FS1	S1g2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+140%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3550MX) / not specified (Athlon X2 QL-66). The A8-3550MX includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3550MX targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3550MX rivals Core i5-2540M.