Athlon 64 FX-57
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
Athlon 64 FX-57 vs Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 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 64 FX-57 vs Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Athlon 64 FX-57 vs Athlon 64 X2 TK-42: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Athlon 64 FX-57
2005Why buy it
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (720 vs 775).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.7 vs 12.9 PassMark/$ ($1,031 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
- ❌10300% higher power demand at 104W vs 1W.
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
2009Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $971 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $1,031 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 1749.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.9 vs 0.7 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $1,031 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 1W instead of 104W, a 103W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.
Quick Answers
So, is Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 better than Athlon 64 FX-57?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon 64 FX-57 vs Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Athlon 64 FX-57
The Athlon 64 FX-57 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the San Diego (2001−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 104 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 720 points. Launch price was $149.
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Tyler (2007−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 775 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Athlon 64 FX-57 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-57 versus 1.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-57. The Athlon 64 FX-57 uses the San Diego (2001−2005) architecture (90 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 uses Tyler (2007−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 FX-57 scores 720 against the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42's 775 — a 7.4% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-57 | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 2 / 2+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+75% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| Process | 90 nm | 65 nm-28% |
| Architecture | San Diego (2001−2005) | Tyler (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 720 | 775+8% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon 64 FX-57 uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR-400 on the Athlon 64 FX-57 versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 — the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 supports -266.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD 939 (Athlon 64 FX-57) and AMD S1 (Athlon 64 X2 TK-42).
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-57 | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | 939 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR-400 | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Athlon 64 FX-57 was priced at $1031, while the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 came in at $60. On launch pricing ($1031 vs $60), Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 was $971 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 FX-57 delivers 0.7 pts/$ vs 12.9 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 — making the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 the 179.5% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon 64 FX-57 | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1031 | $60-94% |
| Performance per Dollar | 0.7 | 12.9+1743% |
| Release Date | 2005 | 2009 |
Affiliate Disclosure
ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon 64 FX-57 and Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
