
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

Atom D2560
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
Performance Per Dollar Atom D2560
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 | Atom 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
| Insight | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 | Atom D2560 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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

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.

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.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 | Atom 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).
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 | Atom 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.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 | Atom D2560 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel GMA 3650 |
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