Athlon II X4 600e vs Athlon 64 FX-72
Athlon II X4 600e
Athlon 64 FX-72
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 X4 600e is positioned at rank 842 and the Athlon 64 FX-72 is on rank 1100, so the Athlon II X4 600e 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 X4 600e
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-72
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 600e | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 600e | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
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 X4 600e and Athlon 64 FX-72
Athlon II X4 600e
The Athlon II X4 600e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: 1,795 points. Launch price was $130.
Athlon 64 FX-72
The Athlon 64 FX-72 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,794 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 600e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon 64 FX-72 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X4 600e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II X4 600e versus 2.8 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-72 — a 24% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-72. The Athlon II X4 600e uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon 64 FX-72 uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 600e scores 1,795 against the Athlon 64 FX-72's 1,794 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X4 600e. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.8 GHz+27% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 1 MB+100% |
| Process | 45 nm-50% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Windsor (2006−2007) |
| PassMark | 1,795 | 1,794 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 600e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 FX-72 uses F (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 600e versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 FX-72 — the Athlon II X4 600e supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 600e) vs 0 (Athlon 64 FX-72) — the Athlon II X4 600e offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket AM3 (Athlon II X4 600e) and AMD F (1207) (Athlon 64 FX-72).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | F |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 600e) / not specified (Athlon 64 FX-72).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 600e launched at $100 MSRP, while the Athlon 64 FX-72 debuted at $799. At current prices ($20 vs $40), the Athlon II X4 600e is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 600e delivers 89.8 pts/$ vs 44.9 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 FX-72 — making the Athlon II X4 600e the 66.7% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 600e | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-87% | $799 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-50% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 89.8+100% | 44.9 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2006 |
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