CPU
GPU
Athlon II X3 405e
Athlon II X2 270
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 X3 405e is positioned at rank 935 and the Athlon II X2 270 is on rank 825, so the Athlon II X2 270 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 X3 405e
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 270
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X3 405e | Athlon II X2 270 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X3 405e | Athlon II X2 270 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+50%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 X3 405e and Athlon II X2 270
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X3 405e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Athlon II X2 270 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X3 405e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 405e versus 3.4 GHz on the Athlon II X2 270 — a 38.6% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 270 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Athlon II X3 405e uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon II X2 270 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 405e scores 1,331 against the Athlon II X2 270's 1,333 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X2 270. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 405e | Athlon II X2 270 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.4 GHz+48% |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.4 GHz+48% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 1 MB+100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Rana (2009−2011) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,331 | 1,333 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 392 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 686 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the AM3 socket with PCIe 2.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 405e versus 1333 on the Athlon II X2 270 — the Athlon II X2 270 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 405e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 405e) and AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 270).
| Feature | Athlon II X3 405e | Athlon II X2 270 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+209715100% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X3 405e) / true (Athlon II X2 270). Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 270 rivals Pentium E6700.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 405e | Athlon II X2 270 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X3 405e launched at $100 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 270 debuted at $72. At current prices ($10 vs $15), the Athlon II X3 405e is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 405e delivers 133.1 pts/$ vs 88.9 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 270 — making the Athlon II X3 405e the 39.9% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X3 405e | Athlon II X2 270 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100 | $72-28% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-33% | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 133.1+50% | 88.9 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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