CPU
GPU
Athlon II X2 250e
Athlon II X2 255
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon II X2 250e is positioned at rank 889 and the Athlon II X2 255 is on rank 793, so the Athlon II X2 255 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 250e
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 255
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 250e | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 250e | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+51%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X2 250e and Athlon II X2 255
Athlon II X2 250e
The Athlon II X2 250e 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,202 points. Launch price was $77.
Athlon II X2 255
The Athlon II X2 255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,210 points. Launch price was $60.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon II X2 250e and Athlon II X2 255 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X2 250e versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X2 255 — a 3.3% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 255 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). Both are built on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 250e scores 1,202 against the Athlon II X2 255's 1,210 — a 0.7% lead for the Athlon II X2 255. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 265, a 5.8% lead for the Athlon II X2 255 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 470 vs 500 (6.2% advantage for the Athlon II X2 255). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250e | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3.1 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.1 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,202 | 1,210 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 250 | 265+6% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 470 | 500+6% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM3 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 760G,780G,785G,790GX (Athlon II X2 250e) and 760G,780G,785G,790GX,870,880G,890GX,890FX (Athlon II X2 255).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250e | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Athlon II X2 250e targets Energy Efficient Legacy Desktop, Athlon II X2 255 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 250e rivals Pentium E5700; Athlon II X2 255 rivals Pentium E5700.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250e | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Energy Efficient Legacy Desktop | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 250e launched at $77 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 255 debuted at $60. At current prices ($15 vs $10), the Athlon II X2 255 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 250e delivers 80.1 pts/$ vs 121.0 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 255 — making the Athlon II X2 255 the 40.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250e | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $77 | $60-22% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | $10-33% |
| Performance per Dollar | 80.1 | 121.0+51% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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