Athlon II X2 215 vs Core i5-560UM
Athlon II X2 215
Core i5-560UM
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 II X2 215 is positioned at rank 739 and the Core i5-560UM is on rank 1224, so the Athlon II X2 215 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 215
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-560UM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 215 | Core i5-560UM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 215 | Core i5-560UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2390%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
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 II X2 215 and Core i5-560UM
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.
Core i5-560UM
The Core i5-560UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,015 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X2 215 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-560UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X2 215 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core i5-560UM — a 23.6% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 215 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Athlon II X2 215 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-560UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 215 scores 1,011 against the Core i5-560UM's 1,015 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-560UM. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 215 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-560UM.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 215 | Core i5-560UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+27% | 2.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+103% | 1.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,011 | 1,015 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 274 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 674 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 215 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-560UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 215 versus 800 on the Core i5-560UM — the Athlon II X2 215 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 215 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 215) vs 16 (Core i5-560UM) — the Core i5-560UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 215) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-560UM).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 215 | Core i5-560UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+67% | 800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16+100% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. The Core i5-560UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Athlon II X2 215 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 215 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 215 rivals Pentium E5400; Core i5-560UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 215 | Core i5-560UM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | true |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 215 launched at $45 MSRP, while the Core i5-560UM debuted at $250.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 215 | Core i5-560UM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $45-82% | $250 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10 | — |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2010 |
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