Athlon II X2 250e vs Turion 64 ML-28

Athlon II X2 250e vs Turion 64 ML-28 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 250e

2 / 2

1,202

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Turion 64 ML-28

1 / 1

1,201

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 250e vs Turion 64 ML-28 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 250e vs Turion 64 ML-28: 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 250e

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Turion 64 ML-28.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $77 MSRP, while Turion 64 ML-28 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Turion 64 ML-28

2005

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,201 vs 1,202).
❌1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 250e.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 250e better than Turion 64 ML-28?

Yes. Athlon II X2 250e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better 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, Athlon II X2 250e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% more average FPS across 50 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 250e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Athlon II X2 250e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 250e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $77 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon II X2 250e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X2 250e vs Turion 64 ML-28 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Turion 64 ML-28

The Turion 64 ML-28 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Lancaster (2005−2006) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 754. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,201 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 250e packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Turion 64 ML-28 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Athlon II X2 250e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X2 250e versus 1.6 GHz on the Turion 64 ML-28 — a 60.9% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 250e. The Athlon II X2 250e uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Turion 64 ML-28 uses Lancaster (2005−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 250e scores 1,202 against the Turion 64 ML-28's 1,201 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X2 250e. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon II X2 250e	Turion 64 ML-28
Cores / Threads	2 / 2+100%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	3 GHz+87%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm-50%	90 nm
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Lancaster (2005−2006)
PassMark	1,202	1,201
Geekbench 6 Single	250	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	470	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 250e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Turion 64 ML-28 uses 754 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon II X2 250e	Turion 64 ML-28
Socket	AM3	754
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 250e) / not specified (Turion 64 ML-28). Primary use case: Athlon II X2 250e targets Energy Efficient Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 250e rivals Pentium E5700.