
Athlon II X2 260u

Pentium Dual-Core E2200
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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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
2009Why 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 $100 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium Dual-Core E2200.
Trade-offs
- ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.
Pentium Dual-Core E2200
2007Why buy it
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (985 vs 990).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.8 vs 16.5 PassMark/$ ($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?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon II X2 260u vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260u | Pentium 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.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260u | Pentium 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.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260u | Pentium 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.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 260u | Pentium Dual-Core E2200 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-40% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 16.5+68% | 9.8 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2007 |
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