Athlon II X2 260 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300
Athlon II X2 260
Core 2 Solo SU3300
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 Core 2 Solo SU3300 is on rank 1211, 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 Core 2 Solo SU3300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 260 | Core 2 Solo SU3300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($12) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 260 | Core 2 Solo SU3300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+317%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($12) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 Core 2 Solo SU3300
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.
Core 2 Solo SU3300
The Core 2 Solo SU3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,247 points. Launch price was $262.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X2 260 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Athlon II X2 260 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon II X2 260 versus 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — 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 Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 260 scores 1,248 against the Core 2 Solo SU3300's 1,247 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X2 260.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Core 2 Solo SU3300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2+100% | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+167% | 1.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 3 MB+200% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,248 | 1,247 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 260 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses BGA956 (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 Core 2 Solo SU3300 — the Athlon II X2 260 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 260 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon II X2 260) vs 1 (Core 2 Solo SU3300). Both provide 0 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Core 2 Solo SU3300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+66550% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 4 GB+26214300% |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 260) vs VT-x (Core 2 Solo SU3300). Primary use case: Core 2 Solo SU3300 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 260 rivals Pentium E6700.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Core 2 Solo SU3300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 260 launched at $60 MSRP, while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 debuted at $262. At current prices ($12 vs $50), the Athlon II X2 260 is $38 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 260 delivers 104.0 pts/$ vs 24.9 pts/$ for the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — making the Athlon II X2 260 the 122.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260 | Core 2 Solo SU3300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-77% | $262 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $12-76% | $50 |
| Performance per Dollar | 104.0+318% | 24.9 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2008 |
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