Athlon 64 X2 5400+ vs Pentium G870

Athlon 64 X2 5400+ vs Pentium G870 Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

2 / 2

1,585

+1.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium G870

2 / 2

1,562

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 5400+ vs Pentium G870 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 5400+ vs Pentium G870: 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 5400+

2006

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.3 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($485 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌36.9% higher power demand at 89W vs 65W.

Pentium G870

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $399 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅Delivers 455.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.2 vs 3.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $485 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 89W, a 24W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,562 vs 1,585).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G870 better than Athlon 64 X2 5400+?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G870 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 64 X2 5400+ pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon 64 X2 5400+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G870 is the better buy right now. Pentium G870 comes in $399 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $485 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon 64 X2 5400+ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.5% better PassMark. It is also 455.8% better value on MSRP (18.2 vs 3.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G870 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 64 X2 5400+ vs Pentium G870 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,585 points. Launch price was $149.

Pentium G870

The Pentium G870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,562 points. Launch price was $97.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ and Pentium G870 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G870 — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Pentium G870. The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Pentium G870 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ scores 1,585 against the Pentium G870's 1,562 — a 1.5% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 5400+. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G870.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Pentium G870
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	—	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	90 nm	32 nm-64%
Architecture	Windsor (2006−2007)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,585+1%	1,562

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G870 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Pentium G870
Socket	AM2	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ was priced at $485, while the Pentium G870 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($485 vs $86), Pentium G870 was $399 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ delivers 3.3 pts/$ vs 18.2 pts/$ for the Pentium G870 — making the Pentium G870 the 139% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Pentium G870
MSRP	$485	$86-82%
Performance per Dollar	3.3	18.2+452%
Release Date	2006	2012

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