Athlon II X2 260 vs Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Athlon II X2 260
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
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 260 is positioned at rank 780 and the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ is on rank 1101, so the Athlon II X2 260 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 260
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 260 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($12) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Manchester (2005−2006) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 260 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+812%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($12) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
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 260 and Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Athlon II X2 260
The Athlon II X2 260 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 1,248 points. Launch price was $48.
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Dezembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,255 points. Launch price was $309.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon II X2 260 and Athlon 64 X2 4200+ share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon II X2 260 versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ — a 37% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 260. The Athlon II X2 260 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ uses Manchester (2005−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 260 scores 1,248 against the Athlon 64 X2 4200+'s 1,255 — a 0.6% lead for the Athlon 64 X2 4200+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+45% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm-50% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Manchester (2005−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,248 | 1,255 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 260 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ uses 939 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 260 versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ — the Athlon II X2 260 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 260) and AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 4200+).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | 939 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+66550% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Athlon II X2 260) / not specified (Athlon 64 X2 4200+). Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 260 rivals Pentium E6700.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 260 launched at $60 MSRP, while the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ debuted at $581. At current prices ($12 vs $110), the Athlon II X2 260 is $98 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 260 delivers 104.0 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ — making the Athlon II X2 260 the 160.5% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-90% | $581 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $12-89% | $110 |
| Performance per Dollar | 104.0+812% | 11.4 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2006 |
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