Athlon II X2 220 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

AMD

Athlon II X2 220

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Athlon II X2 220 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 Ryzen 7 7800X3D: 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 $417 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 15,000).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 32.7 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM3, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +953.5% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 133.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM3 and older memory support.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Athlon II X2 220 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 1303.1% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$32 MSRP
  • 84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 220.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Athlon II X2 220?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 953.5% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2900% better Geekbench multi-core, 3178.5% higher PassMark, 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, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 953.5% more average FPS across 37 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus null.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 2900% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 1303.1% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you a 953.5% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 133.7% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 32.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2010), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of AM3, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of null, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/2. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Athlon II X2 220 vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 220 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 56.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 2.8 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Athlon II X2 220 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 188.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 285 vs 2,700, a 161.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 15,000 (187.1% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 220 vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
5 GHz+79%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
4.4 GHz+57%
L3 Cache
0 kB
96 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB
1 MB (per core)+100%
Process
45 nm
5 nm-89%
Architecture
Regor (2009−2013)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
1,046
34,293+3178%
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
285
2,700+847%
Geekbench 6 Multi
500
15,000+2900%
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 220 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 220 versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 290.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 220) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 220) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
AM3
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed
1333
DDR5-5200+290%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
128 GB+700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
0
28
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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 220) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Athlon II X2 220 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500; Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
true
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 220 was priced at $32, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($32 vs $449), Athlon II X2 220 was $417 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 220 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 80.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X2 220Ryzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$32-93%
$449
Performance per Dollar
32.7
76.4+134%
Release Date
2010
2023

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