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Athlon II X2 220 vs Celeron 1037U

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

Athlon II X2 220

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

Popular choices:

•••••••••
VS
Intel

Celeron 1037U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2013

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon II X2 220
2 / 2
1,046
+1.2%
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
Celeron 1037U
2 / 2
1,034
0.0%
brand logoCeleron U3400
brand logoCore 2 Duo L7200
brand logoCeleron 877
brand logoCeleron P4505
brand logoCore i5-12490F
brand logoCore Ultra 5 245HX
brand logoXeon W-3375
brand logoXeon w9-3575X

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Athlon II X2 220

2010

Why buy it

  • ✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
  • ✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron 1037U.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (285 vs 324).
  • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 626).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $32 MSRP, while Celeron 1037U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron 1037U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron 1037U

2013

Why buy it

  • ✅+13.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • ✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge), while Athlon II X2 220 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 220.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 1037U better than Athlon II X2 220?
Yes. Celeron 1037U is the better overall CPU here. You are getting 25.2% better Geekbench multi-core and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Celeron 1037U is the better fit because it leads the single-thread side of the matchup with 13.7% stronger Geekbench single-core performance.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 1037U is the better fit. You are getting 25.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Celeron 1037U is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Celeron 1037U is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it gives you 1.2% higher PassMark. Athlon II X2 220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (32.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Celeron 1037U is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
1080p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
4K
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
Open Athlon II X2 220Open Celeron 1037U
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
1080p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
4K
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS20 FPS
Open Athlon II X2 220Open Celeron 1037U
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
1080p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
4K
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
Open Athlon II X2 220Open Celeron 1037U
Valorant

Valorant

PresetAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
1080p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
4K
low26 FPS26 FPS
medium26 FPS26 FPS
high26 FPS26 FPS
ultra26 FPS26 FPS
Open Athlon II X2 220Open Celeron 1037U
Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X2 220 and Celeron 1037U

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.

Intel

Celeron 1037U

The Celeron 1037U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,034 points. Launch price was $86.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 220 and Celeron 1037U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 1.8 GHz on the Celeron 1037U — a 43.5% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 220 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Athlon II X2 220 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 1037U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the Celeron 1037U's 1,034 — a 1.2% lead for the Athlon II X2 220. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 285 vs 324, a 12.8% lead for the Celeron 1037U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 626 (22.4% advantage for the Celeron 1037U). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 220 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 1037U.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+56%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+56%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB+100%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Regor (2009−2013)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,046+1%
1,034
Geekbench 6 Single
285
324+14%
Geekbench 6 Multi
500
626+25%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 220 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 1037U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 220 versus DDR3-1600 on the Celeron 1037U — the Athlon II X2 220 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 1037U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 220) vs 16 (Celeron 1037U) — the Celeron 1037U offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 220) and HM70,NM70,HM76 (Celeron 1037U).

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
Socket
AM3
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
1333+44333%
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16
32 GB+209715100%
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 VT-x, EPT (Celeron 1037U). The Celeron 1037U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)), while the Athlon II X2 220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 1037U targets Budget Mobile. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500; Celeron 1037U rivals AMD E1-2500.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Celeron 1037U
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x, EPT
Target Use
—
Budget Mobile