Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Core 2 Duo E4700

Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Core 2 Duo E4700 Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

2 / 2

1,020

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo E4700

2 / 2

1,011

0.0%

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 X2 3600+ vs Core 2 Duo E4700 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 64 X2 3600+ vs Core 2 Duo E4700: 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 X2 3600+

2005

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.8 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
❌36.9% higher power demand at 89W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E4700.

Core 2 Duo E4700

2008

Why buy it

✅Costs $17 less on MSRP ($133 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 11.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.6 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($133 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 89W, a 24W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Athlon 64 X2 3600+.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon 64 X2 3600+ across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,011 vs 1,020).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 64 X2 3600+ better than Core 2 Duo E4700?

Yes. Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon 64 X2 3600+ comes in 12.8% more expensive on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo E4700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 11.8% better value on paper (7.6 vs 6.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Core 2 Duo E4700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Core 2 Duo E4700 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core 2 Duo E4700

The Core 2 Duo E4700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,011 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ and Core 2 Duo E4700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ versus 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4700 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E4700. The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ uses the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4700 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ scores 1,020 against the Core 2 Duo E4700's 1,011 — a 0.9% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 3600+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core 2 Duo E4700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.6 GHz+30%
Base Clock	—	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	90 nm	65 nm-28%
Architecture	Manchester (2005−2006)	Allendale (2006−2009)
PassMark	1,020	1,011

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo E4700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR2-800 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E4700) — the Core 2 Duo E4700 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E4700).

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core 2 Duo E4700
Socket	939	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) / false (Core 2 Duo E4700). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core 2 Duo E4700
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	false

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ was priced at $150, while the Core 2 Duo E4700 came in at $133. On launch pricing ($150 vs $133), Core 2 Duo E4700 was $17 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ delivers 6.8 pts/$ vs 7.6 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E4700 — making the Core 2 Duo E4700 the 11.1% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core 2 Duo E4700
MSRP	$150	$133-11%
Performance per Dollar	6.8	7.6+12%
Release Date	2005	2008

Search Athlon 64 X2 3600+ on Amazon

Search Core 2 Duo E4700 on Amazon

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.