Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Atom x5-Z8330

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

2 Cores2 Thrd89 WWMax: 2 GHz2005

Atom x5-Z8330

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 1.92 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

2 / 2

1,020

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom x5-Z8330

4 / 4

1,025

+0.5%

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 Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is positioned at rank 1053 and the Atom x5-Z8330 is on rank 778, so the Atom x5-Z8330 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 3600+

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

45840%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

43315%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

31450%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

9475%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

7505%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

6565%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3760%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3711%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3379%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3379%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3341%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3251%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3205%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3193%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3164%

#1053

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $10

100%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

99%

#1055

Pentium D 940

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

98%

#1056

Phenom X4 9600B

MSRP: $278|Avg: $20

98%

#1057

Phenom II X3 B77

MSRP: $281|Avg: $35

96%

#1058

Core 2 Duo E6300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

95%

#1059

Core 2 Duo E6400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

94%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

94%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

93%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

89%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

89%

#1064

Core i7-880

MSRP: $583|Avg: $40

86%

#1065

Pentium D 820

MSRP: $241|Avg: $20

86%

#1066

Celeron 2.10

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

86%

#1067

Core i7-950

MSRP: $562|Avg: $15

85%

#1068

Sempron 3100+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $15

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-Z8330

#766

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1145%

#767

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1128%

#768

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1036%

#769

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1031%

#770

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1021%

#772

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

986%

#773

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

946%

#774

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

944%

#775

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

919%

#778

Atom x5-Z8330

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#790

Athlon 64 TF-20

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom x5-Z8330 (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3L-RS 1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Atom x5-Z8330
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Manchester (2005−2006) / 90 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Airmont (2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ (2005) relies on 90 nm technology and DDR1, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Atom x5-Z8330
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Benchmark Check

Atom x5-Z8330 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 X2 3600+ and Atom x5-Z8330

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $149.

Atom x5-Z8330

The Atom x5-Z8330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Memory support: DDR3L-RS 1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-Z8330 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ versus 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 3600+. The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ uses the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Atom x5-Z8330 uses Airmont (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ scores 1,020 against the Atom x5-Z8330's 1,025 — a 0.5% lead for the Atom x5-Z8330. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Atom x5-Z8330
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2 GHz+4%	1.92 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.44 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	90 nm	14 nm-84%
Architecture	Manchester (2005−2006)	Airmont (2016)
PassMark	1,020	1,025

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ versus DDR3L-RS 1600 on the Atom x5-Z8330 — the Atom x5-Z8330 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) vs 1 (Atom x5-Z8330). PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) vs 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) — the Atom x5-Z8330 offers 1 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) and Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8330).

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Atom x5-Z8330
Socket	939	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	DDR3L-RS 1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+700%	2 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	1