Chipversus Index
Jump to Section

Athlon II X2 220 vs Athlon II X2 270u

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

Athlon II X2 220

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······
Buy on Amazon
VS
AMD

Athlon II X2 270u

2 Cores2 Thrd25 WWMax: 2 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······
Buy on Amazon

Athlon II X2 220 vs Athlon II X2 270u Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 220
2 / 2
1,046
+0.1%
brand logoAthlon 64 3500+
brand logoAthlon 64 FX-55
brand logoAthlon 64 X2 TK-42
brand logoAthlon X2 BE-2300
brand logoRyzen 5 PRO 5650G
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 3990X
Athlon II X2 270u
2 / 2
1,045
0.0%
brand logoAthlon 64 3500+
brand logoAthlon 64 FX-55
brand logoAthlon 64 X2 TK-42
brand logoAthlon X2 BE-2300
brand logoRyzen 5 PRO 5650G
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 3990X

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 220 vs Athlon II X2 270u 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Among Us

Among Us

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Apex Legends

Apex Legends

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone

1080P
Athlon II X2 220
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1080P
Athlon II X2 270u
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Check FPS with Custom Builds

Athlon II X2 220 vs Athlon II X2 270u: 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 220

2010

Why buy it

  • ✅Costs $36 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $68 MSRP).
  • ✅Delivers 112.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 15.4 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $68 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (285 vs 300).
  • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 550).
  • ❌160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.

Athlon II X2 270u

2010

Why buy it

  • ✅+5.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • ✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.
  • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.4 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($68 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 270u better than Athlon II X2 220?
Yes. Athlon II X2 270u is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 10% better Geekbench multi-core and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X2 270u has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 5.3% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 270u is the stronger fit. You are getting 10% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X2 270u is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon II X2 270u comes in 112.5% more expensive on MSRP at $68 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% higher PassMark. Athlon II X2 220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 112.7% better value on paper (32.7 vs 15.4 PassMark/$), 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?
Athlon II X2 270u makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 220 vs Athlon II X2 270u Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon II X2 220

The Athlon II X2 220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 1,046 points. Launch price was $32.

AMD

Athlon II X2 270u

The Athlon II X2 270u is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,045 points. Launch price was $68.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 220 and Athlon II X2 270u share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 2 GHz on the Athlon II X2 270u — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 220. Both are built on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the Athlon II X2 270u's 1,045 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X2 220. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 285 vs 300, a 5.1% lead for the Athlon II X2 270u that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 550 (9.5% advantage for the Athlon II X2 270u). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Athlon II X2 270u
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+40%
2 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
—
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
1 MB+100%
Process
45 nm
45 nm
Architecture
Regor (2009−2013)
Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark
1,046
1,045
Cinebench R23 Multi
—
531
Geekbench 6 Single
285
300+5%
Geekbench 6 Multi
500
550+10%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM3 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 220) vs 16 (Athlon II X2 270u) — the Athlon II X2 270u offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 220) and AMD 760G,AMD 880G,AMD 970 (Athlon II X2 270u).

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Athlon II X2 270u
Socket
AM3
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1333
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 220) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X2 270u). Primary use case: Athlon II X2 270u targets Office/Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500; Athlon II X2 270u rivals Pentium E5700.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Athlon II X2 270u
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
AMD-V
Target Use
—
Office/Budget Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 220 was priced at $32, while the Athlon II X2 270u came in at $68. On launch pricing ($32 vs $68), Athlon II X2 220 was $36 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 220 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 270u — making the Athlon II X2 220 the 72.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Athlon II X2 270u
MSRP
$32-53%
$68
Performance per Dollar
32.7+112%
15.4
Release Date
2010
2010
Search Athlon II X2 220 on AmazonSearch Athlon II X2 270u on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.