Athlon 64 X2 4200+ vs Core i5-450M

Athlon 64 X2 4200+ vs Core i5-450M Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 4200+

2 / 2

1,255

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-450M

2 / 4

1,264

+0.7%

Celeron N3000

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

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 4200+ vs Core i5-450M 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 4200+ vs Core i5-450M: 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 4200+

2006

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,255 vs 1,264).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.2 vs 39.5 PassMark/$ ($581 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
❌154.3% higher power demand at 89W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-450M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $549 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1728.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.5 vs 2.2 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $581 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 89W, a 54W 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 4200+ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-450M better than Athlon 64 X2 4200+?

Yes. Core i5-450M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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, Core i5-450M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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, Core i5-450M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-450M is the better buy right now. Core i5-450M comes in $549 cheaper on MSRP at $32 MSRP versus $581 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1728.6% better value on MSRP (39.5 vs 2.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-450M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 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 4200+ vs Core i5-450M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon 64 X2 4200+

The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Dezembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 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: 1,255 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i5-450M

The Core i5-450M 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,264 points. Launch price was $32.

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Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-450M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M. The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ uses the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ scores 1,255 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-450M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 4200+	Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.66 GHz+21%
Base Clock	—	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	90 nm	32 nm-64%
Architecture	Manchester (2005−2006)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,255	1,264

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ versus 1066 on the Core i5-450M — the Core i5-450M supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 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 4200+) vs 16 (Core i5-450M) — the Core i5-450M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 4200+) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-450M).

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 4200+	Core i5-450M
Socket	939	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	1066+33%
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 4200+) / true (Core i5-450M). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 4200+	Core i5-450M
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 4200+ was priced at $581, while the Core i5-450M came in at $32. On launch pricing ($581 vs $32), Core i5-450M was $549 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ delivers 2.2 pts/$ vs 39.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-450M — making the Core i5-450M the 179.3% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 4200+	Core i5-450M
MSRP	$581	$32-94%
Performance per Dollar	2.2	39.5+1695%
Release Date	2006	2010

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