Athlon II X2 260 vs Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

Athlon II X2 260 vs Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 260

2 / 2

1,248

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

2 / 2

1,250

+0.2%

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 260 vs Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 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 260 vs Celeron Dual-Core SU2300: 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 260

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 123.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.8 vs 9.3 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Celeron Dual-Core SU2300.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,248 vs 1,250).
❌6400% higher power demand at 65W vs 1W.

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.3 vs 20.8 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 260.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 260 better than Celeron Dual-Core SU2300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X2 260 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon II X2 260 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 260 comes in $74 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 123.0% better value on MSRP (20.8 vs 9.3 PassMark/$), 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 260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 260 vs Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

The Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,250 points. Launch price was $134.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 260 and Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon II X2 260 versus 1.2 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 — a 90.9% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 260. The Athlon II X2 260 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 260 scores 1,248 against the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300's 1,250 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300.

Feature	Athlon II X2 260	Celeron Dual-Core SU2300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+167%	1.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,248	1,250
Geekbench 6 Single	—	150
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	280

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 260 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 260 versus DDR3-800 on the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 — the Athlon II X2 260 supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 260 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 260) vs 6 (Celeron Dual-Core SU2300) — the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 260) and GS45 (Celeron Dual-Core SU2300).

Feature	Athlon II X2 260	Celeron Dual-Core SU2300
Socket	AM3	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333+67%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+300%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	6

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 260) vs VT-x (Celeron Dual-Core SU2300). Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 targets Legacy Mobile. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 260 rivals Pentium E6700; Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 rivals Pentium SU4100.

Feature	Athlon II X2 260	Celeron Dual-Core SU2300
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Legacy Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 260 was priced at $60, while the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($60 vs $134), Athlon II X2 260 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 260 delivers 20.8 pts/$ vs 9.3 pts/$ for the Celeron Dual-Core SU2300 — making the Athlon II X2 260 the 76.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 260	Celeron Dual-Core SU2300
MSRP	$60-55%	$134
Performance per Dollar	20.8+124%	9.3
Release Date	2010	2009

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