Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs Atom x5-E3940

AMD

Athlon 64 X2 6000+

2 Cores2 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2007
VS
Intel

Atom x5-E3940

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2014

Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs Atom x5-E3940 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 6000+ vs Atom x5-E3940 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 6000+ vs Atom x5-E3940: 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 6000+

2007

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Launch MSRP is still $450 MSRP, while Atom x5-E3940 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • ❌1150% higher power demand at 125W vs 10W.
    • ❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-E3940 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Atom x5-E3940

    2014

    Why buy it

    • βœ…Draws 10W instead of 125W, a 115W reduction.
    • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
    • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 500, while Athlon 64 X2 6000+ needs a discrete GPU.

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Lower PassMark (1,816 vs 1,825).

    Quick Answers

    So, is Athlon 64 X2 6000+ better than Atom x5-E3940?
    Yes. Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% 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 6000+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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, Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is the better buy right now. Athlon 64 X2 6000+ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $450 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Atom x5-E3940 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs Atom x5-E3940 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon 64 X2 6000+

    The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006βˆ’2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,825 points. Launch price was $149.

    Intel

    Atom x5-E3940

    The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014βˆ’2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Atom x5-E3940 offers 4 cores / 4 threads β€” the Atom x5-E3940 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ versus 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 β€” a 53.1% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 6000+. The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ uses the Windsor (2006βˆ’2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Atom x5-E3940 uses Apollo Lake (2014βˆ’2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ scores 1,825 against the Atom x5-E3940's 1,816 β€” a 0.5% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 6000+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 6000+Atom x5-E3940
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    4 / 4+100%
    Boost Clock
    3.1 GHz+72%
    1.8 GHz
    Base Clock
    β€”
    1.6 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    512K+25500%
    2 MB (total)
    Process
    90 nm
    14 nm-84%
    Architecture
    Windsor (2006βˆ’2007)
    Apollo Lake (2014βˆ’2016)
    PassMark
    1,825
    1,816
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom x5-E3940 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ versus DDR3L-1866 on the Atom x5-E3940 β€” the Atom x5-E3940 supports 133.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB β€” 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 6000+) vs 6 (Atom x5-E3940) β€” the Atom x5-E3940 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 6000+) and Intel FCBGA1296 (Atom x5-E3940).

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 6000+Atom x5-E3940
    Socket
    AM2
    FCBGA1296
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 3.0+173%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR2-800
    DDR3L-1866+133%
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB+100%
    8 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    6
    πŸ”§

    Advanced Features

    The Atom x5-E3940 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ requires a dedicated GPU.

    FeatureAthlon 64 X2 6000+Atom x5-E3940
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    β€”
    Intel HD Graphics 500