Athlon II X2 220 vs E-350

AMD

Athlon II X2 220

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

E-350

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Athlon II X2 220 vs E-350 Performance Spectrum

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 E-350 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 E-350: 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 $18 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • Delivers 55.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike E-350.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,046 vs 1,049).
  • 261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

E-350

2011

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.0 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 220.

Quick Answers

So, is E-350 better than Athlon II X2 220?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X2 220 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, E-350 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E-350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
E-350 is still the much better call for a fresh build. E-350 comes in 56.3% more expensive on MSRP at $50 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Athlon II X2 220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 55.8% better value on paper (32.7 vs 21.0 PassMark/$), 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?
E-350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and 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 E-350 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

E-350

The E-350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,049 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 220 and E-350 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 1.6 GHz on the E-350 — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 220. The Athlon II X2 220 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the E-350 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the E-350's 1,049 — a 0.3% lead for the E-350. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220E-350
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+75%
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512K (per core)
Process
45 nm
40 nm-11%
Architecture
Regor (2009−2013)
Zacate (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,046
1,049
Geekbench 6 Single
285
Geekbench 6 Multi
500
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 220 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the E-350 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220E-350
Socket
AM3
FT1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
1333
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Athlon II X2 220) / not specified (E-350). Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220E-350
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 220 was priced at $32, while the E-350 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($32 vs $50), Athlon II X2 220 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 220 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 21.0 pts/$ for the E-350 — making the Athlon II X2 220 the 43.6% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220E-350
MSRP
$32-36%
$50
Performance per Dollar
32.7+56%
21.0
Release Date
2010
2011

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