CPU
GPU
A8-3550MX
Athlon X2 QL-66
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 A8-3550MX is positioned at rank 732 and the Athlon X2 QL-66 is on rank 1048, so the A8-3550MX offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3550MX
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 QL-66
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3550MX | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3550MX | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
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.
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A8-3550MX and Athlon X2 QL-66
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 40% 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 — 66.7% 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+50% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| 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.
| Feature | A8-3550MX | Athlon X2 QL-66 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6620G | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | High Performance Laptop | — |
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