Athlon II X4 615e vs Celeron M 560

AMD

Athlon II X4 615e

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Celeron M 560

1 Cores1 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2008

Athlon II X4 615e vs Celeron M 560 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 X4 615e vs Celeron M 560 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 X4 615e vs Celeron M 560: 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 X4 615e

2010

Why buy it

  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron M 560.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 23.3 PassMark/$ ($186 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
  • ❌4400% higher power demand at 45W vs 1W.

Celeron M 560

2008

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $100 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $186 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 115.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $186 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 1W instead of 45W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (2,008 vs 2,018).
  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X4 615e.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 615e better than Celeron M 560?
Yes. Athlon II X4 615e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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 X4 615e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 615e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X4 615e is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon II X4 615e comes in 116.3% more expensive on MSRP at $186 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Celeron M 560 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 115.2% better value on paper (23.3 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon II X4 615e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X4 615e vs Celeron M 560 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon II X4 615e

The Athlon II X4 615e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 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: 2,018 points. Launch price was $59.

Intel

Celeron M 560

The Celeron M 560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006βˆ’2008) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.13 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,008 points. Launch price was $69.

⚑

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 615e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron M 560 offers 1 cores / 1 threads β€” the Athlon II X4 615e has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Athlon II X4 615e versus 2.13 GHz on the Celeron M 560 β€” a 16% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 615e. The Athlon II X4 615e uses the Propus (2009βˆ’2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron M 560 uses Merom (2006βˆ’2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 615e scores 2,018 against the Celeron M 560's 2,008 β€” a 0.5% lead for the Athlon II X4 615e.

FeatureAthlon II X4 615eCeleron M 560
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+300%
1 / 1
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz+17%
2.13 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
β€”
L3 Cache
0 kB
β€”
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
1 MB+100%
Process
45 nm-31%
65 nm
Architecture
Propus (2009βˆ’2011)
Merom (2006βˆ’2008)
PassMark
2,018
2,008
Cinebench R23 Multi
1,161
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
331
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,161
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 615e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron M 560 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 615e versus 667 on the Celeron M 560 β€” the Athlon II X4 615e supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 615e supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 615e) vs 0 (Celeron M 560) β€” the Athlon II X4 615e offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 870,AMD 880G,AMD 890FX,AMD 990FX (Athlon II X4 615e) and GL960,GM965 (Celeron M 560).

FeatureAthlon II X4 615eCeleron M 560
Socket
AM3
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333+100%
667
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+300%
4 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
0
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon II X4 615e has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 615e) vs false (Celeron M 560). Primary use case: Athlon II X4 615e targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon II X4 615e rivals Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300; Celeron M 560 rivals Mobile Sempron 3600+.

FeatureAthlon II X4 615eCeleron M 560
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
β€”
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
false
Target Use
Gaming
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 615e was priced at $186, while the Celeron M 560 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($186 vs $86), Celeron M 560 was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 615e delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 23.3 pts/$ for the Celeron M 560 β€” making the Celeron M 560 the 73.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X4 615eCeleron M 560
MSRP
$186
$86-54%
Performance per Dollar
10.8
23.3+116%
Release Date
2010
2008

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