A8-4555M vs Athlon II X2 280

A8-4555M vs Athlon II X2 280 Performance Spectrum

A8-4555M

4 / 4

1,341

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X2 280

2 / 2

1,355

+1.0%

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.

A8-4555M vs Athlon II X2 280 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.

A8-4555M vs Athlon II X2 280: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A8-4555M

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 19W instead of 65W, a 46W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 7600G, while Athlon II X2 280 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,341 vs 1,355).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 280.

Athlon II X2 280

2013

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike A8-4555M.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while A8-4555M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌242.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 19W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A8-4555M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 280 better than A8-4555M?

Yes. Athlon II X2 280 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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, Athlon II X2 280 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% 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, Athlon II X2 280 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon II X2 280 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 280 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $50 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon II X2 280 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A8-4555M vs Athlon II X2 280 Technical Specifications

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

A8-4555M

The A8-4555M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FP2. Thermal design power (TDP): 19 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,341 points. Launch price was $90.

Athlon II X2 280

The Athlon II X2 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,355 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

The A8-4555M packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X2 280 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-4555M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A8-4555M versus 3.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 280 — a 40% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 280 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The A8-4555M uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II X2 280 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-4555M scores 1,341 against the Athlon II X2 280's 1,355 — a 1% lead for the Athlon II X2 280. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	A8-4555M	Athlon II X2 280
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+50%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+125%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+300%	1 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark	1,341	1,355+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	290
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	550

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Memory & Platform

The A8-4555M uses the FP2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X2 280 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (A8-4555M) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 280) — the A8-4555M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FP2 (A8-4555M) and 870,880G,890GX,890FX,970,990X,990FX (Athlon II X2 280).

Feature	A8-4555M	Athlon II X2 280
Socket	FP2	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333	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. Virtualization support: true (A8-4555M) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X2 280). The A8-4555M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7600G), while the Athlon II X2 280 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 280 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-4555M rivals Core i3-2367M; Athlon II X2 280 rivals Pentium E6700.