Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs Core i7-820QM

Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs Core i7-820QM Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 6000+

2 / 2

1,825

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-820QM

4 / 8

1,819

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 6000+ vs Core i7-820QM 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 Core i7-820QM: 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

✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($450 MSRP vs $546 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 4.1 vs 3.3 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $546 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.

Core i7-820QM

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,819 vs 1,825).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.3 vs 4.1 PassMark/$ ($546 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon 64 X2 6000+ better than Core i7-820QM?

Yes. Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% 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 0.7% 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 0.3% 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 $96 cheaper on MSRP at $450 MSRP versus $546 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.7% better value on MSRP (4.1 vs 3.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-820QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs Core i7-820QM Technical Specifications

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

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 (2006−2007) 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.

Core i7-820QM

The Core i7-820QM 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 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 1.3% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 6000+. The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ scores 1,825 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.3% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 6000+. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 6000+	Core i7-820QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+1%	3.06 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	90 nm	45 nm-50%
Architecture	Windsor (2006−2007)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,825	1,819

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ versus 1333 on the Core i7-820QM — the Core i7-820QM supports 66.6% 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 — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 6000+) vs 16 (Core i7-820QM) — the Core i7-820QM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 6000+) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-820QM).

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 6000+	Core i7-820QM
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 6000+) / true (Core i7-820QM). Direct competitor: Core i7-820QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 6000+	Core i7-820QM
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ was priced at $450, while the Core i7-820QM came in at $546. On launch pricing ($450 vs $546), Athlon 64 X2 6000+ was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ delivers 4.1 pts/$ vs 3.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-820QM — making the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ the 19.6% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 6000+	Core i7-820QM
MSRP	$450-18%	$546
Performance per Dollar	4.1+24%	3.3
Release Date	2007	2009

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