Athlon II X3 415e vs C-60

AMD

Athlon II X3 415e

3 Cores3 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

C-60

2 Cores2 Thrd9 WWMax: 1.33 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Athlon II X3 415e vs C-60 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 X3 415e vs C-60 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 X3 415e vs C-60: 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 X3 415e

2010

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,481 vs 1,483).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.7 vs 29.7 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
    • 400% higher power demand at 45W vs 9W.
    • No integrated graphics, while C-60 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    C-60

    2011

    Why buy it

    • +0.1% higher PassMark.
    • Costs $25 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
    • Delivers 50.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.7 vs 19.7 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
    • Draws 9W instead of 45W, a 36W reduction.
    • 100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

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

    Quick Answers

    So, is C-60 better than Athlon II X3 415e?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X3 415e is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, C-60 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, C-60 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    C-60 is the better buy right now. C-60 comes in $25 cheaper on MSRP at $50 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Athlon II X3 415e is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 50.2% better value on MSRP (29.7 vs 19.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    C-60 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) 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 X3 415e vs C-60 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon II X3 415e

    The Athlon II X3 415e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,481 points. Launch price was $75.

    AMD

    C-60

    The C-60 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 August 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Ontario (2011−2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 1.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 1,483 points. Launch price was $69.

    Processing Power

    The Athlon II X3 415e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the C-60 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X3 415e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Athlon II X3 415e versus 1.33 GHz on the C-60 — a 61.1% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 415e (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Athlon II X3 415e uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the C-60 uses Ontario (2011−2012) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 415e scores 1,481 against the C-60's 1,483 — a 0.1% lead for the C-60. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAthlon II X3 415eC-60
    Cores / Threads
    3 / 3+50%
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.5 GHz+88%
    1.33 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.5 GHz+150%
    1 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    512 kB (per core)
    512K (per core)
    Process
    45 nm
    40 nm-11%
    Architecture
    Rana (2009−2011)
    Ontario (2011−2012)
    PassMark
    1,481
    1,483
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon II X3 415e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the C-60 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 415e versus DDR3-1066 on the C-60 — the Athlon II X3 415e supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 415e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon II X3 415e) vs 1 (C-60). PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X3 415e) vs 4 (C-60) — the C-60 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM3 (Athlon II X3 415e) and AMD BGA413 (C-60).

    FeatureAthlon II X3 415eC-60
    Socket
    AM3
    FT1
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1333+25%
    DDR3-1066
    Max RAM Capacity
    32 GB+700%
    4 GB
    RAM Channels
    2+100%
    1
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    4
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    The C-60 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6290), while the Athlon II X3 415e requires a dedicated GPU.

    FeatureAthlon II X3 415eC-60
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Radeon HD 6290
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon II X3 415e was priced at $75, while the C-60 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($75 vs $50), C-60 was $25 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 415e delivers 19.7 pts/$ vs 29.7 pts/$ for the C-60 — making the C-60 the 40.1% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon II X3 415eC-60
    MSRP
    $75
    $50-33%
    Performance per Dollar
    19.7
    29.7+51%
    Release Date
    2010
    2011

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