Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X4 600e

AMD

Athlon 5350

4 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 2.05 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon II X4 600e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X4 600e Performance Spectrum

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.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X4 600e 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.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X4 600e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 5350

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.1% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $45 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Delivers 81.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3 Graphics, while Athlon II X4 600e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Athlon II X4 600e

2009

Why buy it

  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,795 vs 1,796).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.9 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).
  • 80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Athlon 5350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 5350 better than Athlon II X4 600e?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X4 600e is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 5350 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 5350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon 5350 is the better buy right now. Athlon 5350 comes in $45 cheaper on MSRP at $55 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Athlon II X4 600e is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 38 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 81.9% better value on MSRP (32.7 vs 17.9 PassMark/$), 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 5350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon 5350 vs Athlon II X4 600e Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon 5350

The Athlon 5350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.05 GHz, with boost up to 2.05 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,796 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Athlon II X4 600e

The Athlon II X4 600e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,795 points. Launch price was $130.

Processing Power

Both the Athlon 5350 and Athlon II X4 600e share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.05 GHz on the Athlon 5350 versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II X4 600e — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 600e (base: 2.05 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Athlon 5350 uses the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon II X4 600e uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 5350 scores 1,796 against the Athlon II X4 600e's 1,795 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon 5350.

FeatureAthlon 5350Athlon II X4 600e
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
2.05 GHz
2.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock
2.05 GHz
2.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
2048 kB+300%
512 kB (per core)
Process
28 nm-38%
45 nm
Architecture
Kabini (2013−2014)
Propus (2009−2011)
PassMark
1,796
1,795
Geekbench 6 Single
223
Geekbench 6 Multi
708
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 5350 uses the AM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X4 600e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Athlon 5350 versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 600e — the Athlon 5350 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon 5350) vs 2 (Athlon II X4 600e). PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 5350) vs 16 (Athlon II X4 600e) — the Athlon II X4 600e offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM1 (Athlon 5350) and Socket AM3 (Athlon II X4 600e).

FeatureAthlon 5350Athlon II X4 600e
Socket
AM1
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1600+20%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon 5350) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X4 600e). The Athlon 5350 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3 Graphics), while the Athlon II X4 600e requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Athlon 5350 rivals Pentium J2900.

FeatureAthlon 5350Athlon II X4 600e
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon R3 Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
AMD-V
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 5350 was priced at $55, while the Athlon II X4 600e came in at $100. On launch pricing ($55 vs $100), Athlon 5350 was $45 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 5350 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 17.9 pts/$ for the Athlon II X4 600e — making the Athlon 5350 the 58.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 5350Athlon II X4 600e
MSRP
$55-45%
$100
Performance per Dollar
32.7+83%
17.9
Release Date
2014
2009

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