Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs E1-1200

AMD

Athlon 64 X2 5600+

2 Cores2 Thrd89 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2006
VS
AMD

E1-1200

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs E1-1200 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 5600+ vs E1-1200 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 E1-1200: 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 (1,665 vs 1,682).
    • Launch MSRP is still $505 MSRP, while E1-1200 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 394.4% higher power demand at 89W vs 18W.

    E1-1200

    2012

    Why buy it

    • +1% higher PassMark.
    • 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 E1-1200 better than Athlon 64 X2 5600+?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, E1-1200 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E1-1200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    E1-1200 is still the much better call for a fresh build. E1-1200 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $505 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Athlon 64 X2 5600+ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM2.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    E1-1200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2006) 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 5600+ vs E1-1200 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    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.

    AMD

    E1-1200

    The E1-1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.4 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: 1,682 points. Launch price was $50.

    Processing Power

    Both the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ and E1-1200 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus 1.4 GHz on the E1-1200 — a 69.8% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5600+. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the E1-1200 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ scores 1,665 against the E1-1200's 1,682 — a 1% lead for the E1-1200. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 5600+E1-1200
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.9 GHz+107%
    1.4 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    512K
    512K (per core)
    Process
    90 nm
    40 nm-56%
    Architecture
    Windsor (2006−2007)
    Zacate (2011−2013)
    PassMark
    1,665
    1,682+1%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the E1-1200 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 5600+E1-1200
    Socket
    AM2
    FT1
    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