Athlon II X4 640 vs Ryzen 5 5600
Athlon II X4 640
Ryzen 5 5600
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. The Athlon II X4 640 is positioned at rank #621 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 640
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 640 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 640 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+24%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
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 640 and Ryzen 5 5600
Athlon II X4 640
The Athlon II X4 640 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,266 points. Launch price was $80.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 640 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 640 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Athlon II X4 640 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 640 scores 2,266 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 161.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 1,471 vs 11,077 (153.1% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 386 vs 2,052, a 136.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,332 vs 8,600 (146.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 640 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 640 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 4.4 GHz+47% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.5 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 2,266 | 21,550+851% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 1,471 | 11,077+653% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 386 | 2,052+432% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,332 | 8,600+546% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 640 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 640 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 640) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X4 640) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Athlon II X4 640 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-3200+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 128 GB+700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 24+50% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Athlon II X4 640 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X4 640 rivals Core 2 Quad Q8300.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 640 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Budget | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 640 launched at $80 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($15 vs $115), the Athlon II X4 640 is $100 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 640 delivers 151.1 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 21.5% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 640 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $80-60% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-87% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 151.1 | 187.4+24% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2022 |
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