Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
VS
Atom D2560

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 vs Atom D2560

AMD

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Atom D2560

2 Cores4 Thrd1 WWMax: 2 GHz2012

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 TK-42 is positioned at rank 1019 and the Atom D2560 is on rank 218, so the Atom D2560 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

#1007
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2271%
#1008
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2238%
#1009
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2054%
#1010
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2045%
#1011
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2026%
#1013
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1957%
#1014
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1876%
#1015
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1873%
#1016
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1823%
#1019
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
100%
#1020
Athlon Neo MV-40
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
99%
#1021
Core i7-4860EQ
MSRP: $434|Avg: $80
98%
#1022
Pentium SU2700
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
98%
#1023
A4-1250
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
97%
#1025
Core i5-4200M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
97%
#1026
Celeron 1000M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
96%
#1028
Celeron B840
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
96%
#1029
Celeron M 743
MSRP: $107|Avg: $15
96%
#1030
Core i7-3612QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
95%
#1031
Pentium 967
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
95%
#1032
Core i5-4400E
MSRP: $266|Avg: $50
95%
#1034
Pentium Dual Core T4400
MSRP: $107|Avg: $5
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom D2560

#57
Ryzen AI 9 365
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
99%
#206
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
384%
#207
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
378%
#208
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
347%
#209
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
345%
#210
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
342%
#212
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
330%
#213
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
317%
#214
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
316%
#215
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
308%
#218
Atom D2560
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Atom D2560 leads in gaming performance. However, the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.3% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightAthlon 64 X2 TK-42Atom D2560
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Tyler (2007−2009) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Cedarview (2011−2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightAthlon 64 X2 TK-42Atom D2560
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 TK-42 and Atom D2560

AMD

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Tyler (2007−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 775 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Atom D2560

The Atom D2560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Cedarview (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 765 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Atom D2560's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 versus 2 GHz on the Atom D2560 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Atom D2560. The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 uses the Tyler (2007−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Atom D2560 uses Cedarview (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 scores 775 against the Atom D2560's 765 — a 1.3% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.

FeatureAthlon 64 X2 TK-42Atom D2560
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.6 GHz
2 GHz+25%
Base Clock
2 GHz
L3 Cache
1 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB
1 MB
Process
65 nm
32 nm-51%
Architecture
Tyler (2007−2009)
Cedarview (2011−2012)
PassMark
775+1%
765
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom D2560 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 versus DDR3-1066 on the Atom D2560 — the Atom D2560 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon 64 X2 TK-42) vs 1 (Atom D2560). PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon 64 X2 TK-42) vs 4 (Atom D2560) — the Atom D2560 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD S1 (Athlon 64 X2 TK-42) and Intel FCBGA559 (Atom D2560).

FeatureAthlon 64 X2 TK-42Atom D2560
Socket
S1
FCBGA559
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
DDR3-1066+50%
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB+100%
4 GB
RAM Channels
2+100%
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
4
🔧

Advanced Features

The Atom D2560 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3650), while the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureAthlon 64 X2 TK-42Atom D2560
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel GMA 3650