Athlon II X2 220 vs Celeron J1850

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X2 220

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Celeron J1850

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2 GHz2013

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Athlon II X2 220 vs Celeron J1850 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 220

2 / 2

1,046

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron J1850

4 / 4

1,035

0.0%

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 Celeron J1850 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 220 vs Celeron J1850: 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

✅+58.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
✅Delivers 159.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 12.6 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron J1850.

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron J1850 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron J1850

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Athlon II X2 220 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (180 vs 285).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (450 vs 500).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.6 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 220.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 220 better than Celeron J1850?

Yes. Athlon II X2 220 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data, 11.1% better Geekbench multi-core, and 1.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X2 220 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 11.1% 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 220 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 220 comes in $50 cheaper on MSRP at $32 MSRP versus $82 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 159.0% better value on MSRP (32.7 vs 12.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron J1850 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 220 vs Celeron J1850 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Celeron J1850

The Celeron J1850 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-D (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,035 points. Launch price was $82.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 220 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Celeron J1850 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Celeron J1850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 2 GHz on the Celeron J1850 — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 220 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Athlon II X2 220 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron J1850 uses Bay Trail-D (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the Celeron J1850's 1,035 — a 1.1% lead for the Athlon II X2 220. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 285 vs 180, a 45.2% lead for the Athlon II X2 220 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 450 (10.5% advantage for the Athlon II X2 220). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 220 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Celeron J1850.

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Celeron J1850
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+40%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+40%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Bay Trail-D (2013)
PassMark	1,046+1%	1,035
Geekbench 6 Single	285+58%	180
Geekbench 6 Multi	500+11%	450

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 220 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron J1850 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X2 220 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 220) vs 4 (Celeron J1850) — the Celeron J1850 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 220) and N/A (SoC) (Celeron J1850).

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Celeron J1850
Socket	AM3	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333	DDR3L-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	4

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 220) vs VT-x (Celeron J1850). The Celeron J1850 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Athlon II X2 220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron J1850 targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500; Celeron J1850 rivals Pentium J2900.

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Celeron J1850
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	HD Graphics (Bay Trail)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Low Power

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 220 was priced at $32, while the Celeron J1850 came in at $82. On launch pricing ($32 vs $82), Athlon II X2 220 was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 220 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 12.6 pts/$ for the Celeron J1850 — making the Athlon II X2 220 the 88.6% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Celeron J1850
MSRP	$32-61%	$82
Performance per Dollar	32.7+160%	12.6
Release Date	2010	2013

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