Athlon II X2 270 vs Athlon II X3 405e

Athlon II X2 270 vs Athlon II X3 405e Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 270

2 / 2

1,333

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon II X3 405e

3 / 3

1,331

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 270 vs Athlon II X3 405e 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 270 vs Athlon II X3 405e: 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 270

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $28 less on MSRP ($72 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Delivers 39.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.5 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($72 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Athlon II X3 405e.

Trade-offs

❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Athlon II X3 405e

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,331 vs 1,333).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.3 vs 18.5 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $72 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X2 270.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 270 better than Athlon II X3 405e?

Yes. Athlon II X2 270 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you 0.2% better PassMark and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X2 270 has the edge because it leads the single-thread side of this matchup with 47.8% higher max boost clock.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X2 270 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 270 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 270 comes in $28 cheaper on MSRP at $72 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% higher PassMark. It is also 39.1% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 13.3 PassMark/$), 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 270 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X2 270 vs Athlon II X3 405e Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X2 270

The Athlon II X2 270 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 July 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,333 points. Launch price was $100.

Athlon II X3 405e

The Athlon II X3 405e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,331 points. Launch price was $80.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X2 270 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 405e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 405e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Athlon II X2 270 versus 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 405e — a 38.6% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 270 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Athlon II X2 270 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon II X3 405e uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 270 scores 1,333 against the Athlon II X3 405e's 1,331 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X2 270. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon II X2 270	Athlon II X3 405e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+48%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+48%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Rana (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,333	1,331
Geekbench 6 Single	392	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	686	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM3 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X3 405e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 270) and AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 405e).

Feature	Athlon II X2 270	Athlon II X3 405e
Socket	AM3	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Athlon II X2 270) / not specified (Athlon II X3 405e). Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 270 rivals Pentium E6700.

Feature	Athlon II X2 270	Athlon II X3 405e
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 270 was priced at $72, while the Athlon II X3 405e came in at $100. On launch pricing ($72 vs $100), Athlon II X2 270 was $28 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 270 delivers 18.5 pts/$ vs 13.3 pts/$ for the Athlon II X3 405e — making the Athlon II X2 270 the 32.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 270	Athlon II X3 405e
MSRP	$72-28%	$100
Performance per Dollar	18.5+39%	13.3
Release Date	2011	2009

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