Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs Core i7-720QM

Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs Core i7-720QM Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 5600+

2 / 2

1,665

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-720QM

4 / 8

1,658

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 5600+ vs Core i7-720QM 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 5600+ vs Core i7-720QM: 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 5600+

2006

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.3 vs 4.6 PassMark/$ ($505 MSRP vs $364 MSRP).
❌97.8% higher power demand at 89W vs 45W.

Core i7-720QM

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $141 less on MSRP ($364 MSRP vs $505 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 4.6 vs 3.3 PassMark/$ ($364 MSRP vs $505 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 89W, a 44W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,658 vs 1,665).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 64 X2 5600+ better than Core i7-720QM?

Yes. Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% 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 5600+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 29 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 5600+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon 64 X2 5600+ comes in 38.7% more expensive on MSRP at $505 MSRP versus $364 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-720QM only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 38.2% better value on paper (4.6 vs 3.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Core i7-720QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs Core i7-720QM Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-720QM

The Core i7-720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $546.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-720QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-720QM — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5600+. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i7-720QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ scores 1,665 against the Core i7-720QM's 1,658 — a 0.4% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 5600+. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-720QM.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5600+	Core i7-720QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+4%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	90 nm	45 nm-50%
Architecture	Windsor (2006−2007)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,665	1,658

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus 1333 on the Core i7-720QM — the Core i7-720QM supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 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 5600+) vs 16 (Core i7-720QM) — the Core i7-720QM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-720QM).

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5600+	Core i7-720QM
Socket	AM2	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	1333+67%
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 5600+) / true (Core i7-720QM). Direct competitor: Core i7-720QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5600+	Core i7-720QM
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ was priced at $505, while the Core i7-720QM came in at $364. On launch pricing ($505 vs $364), Core i7-720QM was $141 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ delivers 3.3 pts/$ vs 4.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-720QM — making the Core i7-720QM the 32% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5600+	Core i7-720QM
MSRP	$505	$364-28%
Performance per Dollar	3.3	4.6+39%
Release Date	2006	2009

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