Athlon II X2 215 vs Core i5-560UM

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X2 215

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2009

Similar parts

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Core i5-560UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010

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Athlon II X2 215 vs Core i5-560UM Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 215

2 / 2

1,011

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-560UM

2 / 4

1,015

+0.4%

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 Core i5-560UM 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 Core i5-560UM: 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

✅Costs $205 less on MSRP ($45 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 453.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.5 vs 4.1 PassMark/$ ($45 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core i5-560UM.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,011 vs 1,015).
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-560UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-560UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Athlon II X2 215 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.1 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $45 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 215.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-560UM better than Athlon II X2 215?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X2 215 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560UM pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-560UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-560UM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-560UM comes in 455.6% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $45 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Athlon II X2 215 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 453.4% better value on paper (22.5 vs 4.1 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i5-560UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X2 215 vs Core i5-560UM Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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	—

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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 66.6% 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 — 100% 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	No	No
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

At launch, the Athlon II X2 215 was priced at $45, while the Core i5-560UM came in at $250. On launch pricing ($45 vs $250), Athlon II X2 215 was $205 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 215 delivers 22.5 pts/$ vs 4.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-560UM — making the Athlon II X2 215 the 138.8% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 215	Core i5-560UM
MSRP	$45-82%	$250
Performance per Dollar	22.5+449%	4.1
Release Date	2009	2010

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