Athlon 64 X2 3800+ vs E2-1800

AMD

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

2 Cores2 Thrd89 WWMax: 2 GHz2005
VS
AMD

E2-1800

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2012

Athlon 64 X2 3800+ vs E2-1800 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 X2 3800+ vs E2-1800 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 3800+ vs E2-1800: 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 3800+

2005

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than E2-1800 across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (1,095 vs 1,110).
    • ❌Launch MSRP is still $354 MSRP, while E2-1800 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • ❌394.4% higher power demand at 89W vs 18W.

    E2-1800

    2012

    Why buy it

    • βœ…Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • βœ…Draws 18W instead of 89W, a 71W reduction.

    Trade-offs

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

    Quick Answers

    So, is E2-1800 better than Athlon 64 X2 3800+?
    Yes. E2-1800 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, E2-1800 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% more average FPS across 44 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E2-1800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    E2-1800 is still the much better call for a fresh build. E2-1800 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $354 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon 64 X2 3800+ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2005 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on 939.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    E2-1800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Athlon 64 X2 3800+ vs E2-1800 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon 64 X2 3800+

    The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Manchester (2005βˆ’2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $149.

    AMD

    E2-1800

    The E2-1800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Zacate (2011βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,110 points. Launch price was $50.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    Both the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ and E2-1800 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ versus 1.7 GHz on the E2-1800 β€” a 16.2% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 3800+. The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ uses the Manchester (2005βˆ’2006) architecture (90 nm), while the E2-1800 uses Zacate (2011βˆ’2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ scores 1,095 against the E2-1800's 1,110 β€” a 1.4% lead for the E2-1800. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 3800+E2-1800
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2 GHz+18%
    1.7 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    512 kB
    512K (per core)
    Process
    90 nm
    40 nm-56%
    Architecture
    Manchester (2005βˆ’2006)
    Zacate (2011βˆ’2013)
    PassMark
    1,095
    1,110+1%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon 64 X2 3800+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the E2-1800 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 3800+E2-1800
    Socket
    939
    FT1
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR2-800
    β€”
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    β€”
    RAM Channels
    2
    β€”
    ECC Support
    No
    β€”
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    β€”