CPU
GPU
Athlon II X2 250u
Athlon X2 BE-2300
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 250u is positioned at rank 891 and the Athlon X2 BE-2300 is on rank 1011, so the Athlon II X2 250u 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 250u
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 BE-2300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 250u | Athlon X2 BE-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Brisbane (2007−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 250u | Athlon X2 BE-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+451%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
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 250u and Athlon X2 BE-2300
Athlon II X2 250u
The Athlon II X2 250u is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 935 points. Launch price was $35.
Athlon X2 BE-2300
The Athlon X2 BE-2300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Brisbane (2007−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 905 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon II X2 250u and Athlon X2 BE-2300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 250u versus 1.9 GHz on the Athlon X2 BE-2300 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 BE-2300. The Athlon II X2 250u uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon X2 BE-2300 uses Brisbane (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 250u scores 935 against the Athlon X2 BE-2300's 905 — a 3.3% lead for the Athlon II X2 250u. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Athlon X2 BE-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.6 GHz | 1.9 GHz+19% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Brisbane (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 935+3% | 905 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 222 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 423 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 250u uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 BE-2300 uses AM2 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Athlon II X2 250u versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon X2 BE-2300 — the Athlon II X2 250u supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 BE-2300 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X2 250u) vs 0 (Athlon X2 BE-2300) — the Athlon II X2 250u offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 760G,785G (Athlon II X2 250u) and AMD AM2 (Athlon X2 BE-2300).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Athlon X2 BE-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | AM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 250u) / not specified (Athlon X2 BE-2300). Primary use case: Athlon II X2 250u targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 250u rivals Core 2 Duo E7500.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Athlon X2 BE-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 250u launched at $60 MSRP, while the Athlon X2 BE-2300 debuted at $100. At current prices ($15 vs $80), the Athlon II X2 250u is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 250u delivers 62.3 pts/$ vs 11.3 pts/$ for the Athlon X2 BE-2300 — making the Athlon II X2 250u the 138.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 250u | Athlon X2 BE-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-40% | $100 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-81% | $80 |
| Performance per Dollar | 62.3+451% | 11.3 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2007 |
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