Athlon II X2 215 vs Celeron G1820TE

AMD

Athlon II X2 215

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Celeron G1820TE

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Athlon II X2 215 vs Celeron G1820TE 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 II X2 215 vs Celeron G1820TE 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 II X2 215 vs Celeron G1820TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon II X2 215

2009

Why buy it

  • +7.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron G1820TE.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (274 vs 415).
  • Launch MSRP is still $45 MSRP, while Celeron G1820TE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G1820TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron G1820TE

2013

Why buy it

  • +51.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Haswell), while Athlon II X2 215 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (629 vs 674).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 215.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G1820TE better than Athlon II X2 215?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G1820TE is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 215 pulls ahead with 7.2% better Geekbench multi-core.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 215 is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron G1820TE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Celeron G1820TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $45 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 215 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (22.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron G1820TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 215 vs Celeron G1820TE Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon II X2 215

The Athlon II X2 215 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,011 points. Launch price was $45.

Intel

Celeron G1820TE

The Celeron G1820TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 215 and Celeron G1820TE share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X2 215 versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron G1820TE — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 215 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Athlon II X2 215 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron G1820TE uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 215 scores 1,011 against the Celeron G1820TE's 1,020 — a 0.9% lead for the Celeron G1820TE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 274 vs 415, a 40.9% lead for the Celeron G1820TE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 674 vs 629 (6.9% advantage for the Athlon II X2 215). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 215 vs 3 MB (total) on the Celeron G1820TE.

FeatureAthlon II X2 215Celeron G1820TE
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz+23%
2.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+23%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Regor (2009−2013)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
1,011
1,020
Geekbench 6 Single
274
415+51%
Geekbench 6 Multi
674+7%
629
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 215 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G1820TE uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. The Celeron G1820TE supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 215) vs 16 (Celeron G1820TE) — the Celeron G1820TE offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 215) and H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Celeron G1820TE).

FeatureAthlon II X2 215Celeron G1820TE
Socket
AM3
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
1333
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
32 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
0
16
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 215) vs VT-x (Celeron G1820TE). The Celeron G1820TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Athlon II X2 215 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 215 targets Budget, Celeron G1820TE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 215 rivals Pentium E5400; Celeron G1820TE rivals Pentium G3220T.

FeatureAthlon II X2 215Celeron G1820TE
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
HD Graphics (Haswell)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
Budget