Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs A6-7400K
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
A6-7400K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is positioned at rank 1088 and the A6-7400K is on rank 869, so the A6-7400K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Performance Per Dollar A6-7400K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | A6-7400K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($43) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kaveri (2014−2015) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | A6-7400K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+184%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($43) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 X2 5600+ and A6-7400K
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 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: 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,665 points. Launch price was $149.
A6-7400K
The A6-7400K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,678 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ and A6-7400K share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus 3.9 GHz on the A6-7400K — a 29.4% clock advantage for the A6-7400K. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the A6-7400K uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ scores 1,665 against the A6-7400K's 1,678 — a 0.8% lead for the A6-7400K.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | A6-7400K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 3.9 GHz+34% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512K | 1024 kB+100% |
| Process | 90 nm | 28 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Windsor (2006−2007) | Kaveri (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,665 | 1,678 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A6-7400K uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus 1866 on the A6-7400K — the A6-7400K supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6-7400K supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) vs 16 (A6-7400K) — the A6-7400K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) and FM2+ (A6-7400K).
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | A6-7400K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2 | FM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | 1866+93200% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+52428700% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) / true (A6-7400K). The A6-7400K includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A6-7400K rivals Pentium G3420.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | A6-7400K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon R5 Graphics |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ launched at $505 MSRP, while the A6-7400K debuted at $101. At current prices ($15 vs $43), the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is $28 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ delivers 111.0 pts/$ vs 39.0 pts/$ for the A6-7400K — making the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ the 96% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | A6-7400K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $505 | $101-80% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-65% | $43 |
| Performance per Dollar | 111.0+185% | 39.0 |
| Release Date | 2006 | 2014 |
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