Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Core i5-560UM

Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Core i5-560UM Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

2 / 2

1,020

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-560UM

2 / 4

1,015

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 i5-560UM 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 i5-560UM: 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: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 67.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.8 vs 4.1 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌394.4% higher power demand at 89W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-560UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-560UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 89W, a 71W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon 64 X2 3600+ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon 64 X2 3600+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,015 vs 1,020).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.1 vs 6.8 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 64 X2 3600+ better than Core i5-560UM?

Yes. Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% 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 5.8% 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 64 X2 3600+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 the better buy right now. Athlon 64 X2 3600+ comes in $100 cheaper on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 67.5% better value on MSRP (6.8 vs 4.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-560UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs Core i5-560UM 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 i5-560UM

The Core i5-560UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $250.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-560UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-560UM. The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ uses the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i5-560UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ scores 1,020 against the Core i5-560UM's 1,015 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 3600+. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ vs 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core i5-560UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.13 GHz+6%
Base Clock	—	1.33 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	90 nm	32 nm-64%
Architecture	Manchester (2005−2006)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,020	1,015

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-560UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR2-800 memory speed. The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) vs 16 (Core i5-560UM) — the Core i5-560UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-560UM).

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core i5-560UM
Socket	939	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 X2 3600+) / true (Core i5-560UM). The Core i5-560UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core i5-560UM
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ was priced at $150, while the Core i5-560UM came in at $250. On launch pricing ($150 vs $250), Athlon 64 X2 3600+ was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ delivers 6.8 pts/$ vs 4.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-560UM — making the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ the 50.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 3600+	Core i5-560UM
MSRP	$150-40%	$250
Performance per Dollar	6.8+66%	4.1
Release Date	2005	2010

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