Athlon II X2 260u vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200

AMD

Athlon II X2 260u

2 Cores2 Thrd25 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2007
Similar parts
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Athlon II X2 260u vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200 Performance Spectrum

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 260u vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200 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 260u vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200: 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 260u

2009

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $40 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Delivers 67.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.5 vs 9.8 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium Dual-Core E2200.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

2007

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (985 vs 990).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.8 vs 16.5 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
    • 160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 260u.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Athlon II X2 260u better than Pentium Dual-Core E2200?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Dual-Core E2200 is ahead with 22.2% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 260u pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 260u is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Athlon II X2 260u is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 260u comes in $40 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium Dual-Core E2200 is still the better pure gaming CPU with 22.2% higher max boost clock. It is also 67.5% better value on MSRP (16.5 vs 9.8 PassMark/$), 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 260u makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Athlon II X2 260u vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon II X2 260u

    The Athlon II X2 260u 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: 1.8 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: 990 points. Launch price was $83.

    Intel

    Pentium Dual-Core E2200

    The Pentium Dual-Core E2200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 985 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    Both the Athlon II X2 260u and Pentium Dual-Core E2200 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 260u versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 — a 20% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual-Core E2200. The Athlon II X2 260u uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 260u scores 990 against the Pentium Dual-Core E2200's 985 — a 0.5% lead for the Athlon II X2 260u. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAthlon II X2 260uPentium Dual-Core E2200
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    1.8 GHz
    2.2 GHz+22%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    1 MB
    1 MB (total)
    Process
    45 nm-31%
    65 nm
    Architecture
    Regor (2009−2013)
    NetBurst (2000−2006)
    PassMark
    990
    985
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon II X2 260u uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 260u versus DDR2-800 on the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 — the Athlon II X2 260u supports 66.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 260u 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. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes.

    FeatureAthlon II X2 260uPentium Dual-Core E2200
    Socket
    AM3
    LGA775
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    PCIe 1.1
    Max RAM Speed
    1333+67%
    DDR2-800
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB+300%
    4 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    0
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 260u) vs VT-x (Pentium Dual-Core E2200). Primary use case: Pentium Dual-Core E2200 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 260u rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.

    FeatureAthlon II X2 260uPentium Dual-Core E2200
    Integrated GPU
    No
    No
    IGPU Model
    None
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    true
    VT-x
    Target Use
    Desktop
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon II X2 260u was priced at $60, while the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($60 vs $100), Athlon II X2 260u was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 260u delivers 16.5 pts/$ vs 9.8 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 — making the Athlon II X2 260u the 50.5% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon II X2 260uPentium Dual-Core E2200
    MSRP
    $60-40%
    $100
    Performance per Dollar
    16.5+68%
    9.8
    Release Date
    2009
    2007

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