Athlon II X4 651 vs Pentium G4560

Athlon II X4 651 vs Pentium G4560 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 651

4 / 4

3,584

+1.4%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium G4560

2 / 4

3,536

0.0%

Core i3-2120

Core 2 Duo T6670

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

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 651 vs Pentium G4560 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 651 vs Pentium G4560: 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 651

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.0 vs 55.3 PassMark/$ ($92 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
❌96.1% higher power demand at 100W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G4560 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G4560

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $28 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $92 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 55.3 vs 39.0 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $92 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 100W, a 49W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 610, while Athlon II X4 651 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,536 vs 3,584).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G4560 better than Athlon II X4 651?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G4560 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 651 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 651 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium G4560 is the better buy right now. Pentium G4560 comes in $28 cheaper on MSRP at $64 MSRP versus $92 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon II X4 651 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.4% better PassMark. It is also 41.8% better value on MSRP (55.3 vs 39.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G4560 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 651 vs Pentium G4560 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 651

The Athlon II X4 651 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) 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: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,584 points. Launch price was $149.

Pentium G4560

The Pentium G4560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,536 points. Launch price was $108.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 651 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G4560 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 651 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 651 versus 3.5 GHz on the Pentium G4560 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Pentium G4560 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Athlon II X4 651 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G4560 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 651 scores 3,584 against the Pentium G4560's 3,536 — a 1.3% lead for the Athlon II X4 651. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 651 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4560.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Pentium G4560
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,584+1%	3,536

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 651 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G4560 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 651 versus DDR4-2400 on the Pentium G4560 — the Pentium G4560 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium G4560 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Pentium G4560
Socket	FM1	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR4-2400+29%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 651) / VT-x, VT-d (Pentium G4560). The Pentium G4560 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Athlon II X4 651 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G4560 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Pentium G4560
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 610
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 651 was priced at $92, while the Pentium G4560 came in at $64. On launch pricing ($92 vs $64), Pentium G4560 was $28 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 651 delivers 39.0 pts/$ vs 55.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4560 — making the Pentium G4560 the 34.6% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Pentium G4560
MSRP	$92	$64-30%
Performance per Dollar	39.0	55.3+42%
Release Date	2011	2017

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