Athlon II X2 250u vs Athlon X2 BE-2350

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X2 250u

2 Cores2 Thrd25 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2009

Similar parts

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Athlon X2 BE-2350

2 Cores2 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2007

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Athlon II X2 250u vs Athlon X2 BE-2350 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 250u

2 / 2

935

0.0%

Athlon 64 3300+

Mobile Athlon 64 3700+

Athlon 64 FX-57

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

Ryzen 5 5600F

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon X2 BE-2350

2 / 2

975

+4.3%

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 250u vs Athlon X2 BE-2350 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 250u vs Athlon X2 BE-2350: 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 250u

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $30 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).
✅Delivers 43.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.6 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X2 BE-2350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (935 vs 975).

Athlon X2 BE-2350

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 BE-2350 better than Athlon II X2 250u?

Yes. Athlon X2 BE-2350 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 4.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon X2 BE-2350 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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 X2 BE-2350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon X2 BE-2350 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon X2 BE-2350 comes in 50.0% more expensive on MSRP at $90 MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 250u only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 43.8% better value on paper (15.6 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), 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?

Athlon II X2 250u makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 250u vs Athlon X2 BE-2350 Technical Specifications

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

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-2350

The Athlon X2 BE-2350 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: 2.1 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: 975 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 250u and Athlon X2 BE-2350 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 250u versus 2.1 GHz on the Athlon X2 BE-2350 — a 27% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 BE-2350. The Athlon II X2 250u uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon X2 BE-2350 uses Brisbane (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 250u scores 935 against the Athlon X2 BE-2350's 975 — a 4.2% lead for the Athlon X2 BE-2350. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon II X2 250u	Athlon X2 BE-2350
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	2.1 GHz+31%
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	975+4%
Geekbench 6 Single	222	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	423	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 250u uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 BE-2350 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-2350 — the Athlon II X2 250u supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 BE-2350 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% 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-2350) — 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-2350).

Feature	Athlon II X2 250u	Athlon X2 BE-2350
Socket	AM3	AM2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066+33%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X2 250u) / not specified (Athlon X2 BE-2350). 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-2350
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 250u was priced at $60, while the Athlon X2 BE-2350 came in at $90. On launch pricing ($60 vs $90), Athlon II X2 250u was $30 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 250u delivers 15.6 pts/$ vs 10.8 pts/$ for the Athlon X2 BE-2350 — making the Athlon II X2 250u the 36% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 250u	Athlon X2 BE-2350
MSRP	$60-33%	$90
Performance per Dollar	15.6+44%	10.8
Release Date	2009	2007

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