Athlon X2 450
Core i7-660UM
Athlon X2 450 vs Core i7-660UM 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 X2 450 vs Core i7-660UM 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Athlon X2 450 vs Core i7-660UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Athlon X2 450
2014Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $257 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $317 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 434.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.6 vs 4.0 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $317 MSRP).
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i7-660UM.
Trade-offs
- ❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-660UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Core i7-660UM
2010Why buy it
- ✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Athlon X2 450 needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X2 450 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (600 vs 800).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.0 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($317 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 450.
Quick Answers
So, is Athlon X2 450 better than Core i7-660UM?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon X2 450 vs Core i7-660UM Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Athlon X2 450
The Athlon X2 450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,295 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-660UM
The Core i7-660UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,279 points. Launch price was $317.
Processing Power
The Athlon X2 450 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-660UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X2 450 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-660UM — a 47.6% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 450 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.33 GHz). The Athlon X2 450 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i7-660UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 450 scores 1,295 against the Core i7-660UM's 1,279 — a 1.2% lead for the Athlon X2 450. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 450 vs 250, a 57.1% lead for the Athlon X2 450 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 800 vs 600 (28.6% advantage for the Athlon X2 450).
| Feature | Athlon X2 450 | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+63% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+163% | 1.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (total)+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 28 nm-13% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Kaveri (2014−2015) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,295+1% | 1,279 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 1,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 450+80% | 250 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 800+33% | 600 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X2 450 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-660UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X2 450 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-660UM — the Athlon X2 450 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 450 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: A88X,A78,A68H (Athlon X2 450) and PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-660UM).
| Feature | Athlon X2 450 | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2+ | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866+75% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | No |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X2 450) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-660UM). The Core i7-660UM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Athlon X2 450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 450 targets Basic Desktop, Core i7-660UM targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon X2 450 rivals Core i3-3220.
| Feature | Athlon X2 450 | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Basic Desktop | Budget |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Athlon X2 450 was priced at $60, while the Core i7-660UM came in at $317. On launch pricing ($60 vs $317), Athlon X2 450 was $257 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 450 delivers 21.6 pts/$ vs 4.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-660UM — making the Athlon X2 450 the 137% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X2 450 | Core i7-660UM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-81% | $317 |
| Performance per Dollar | 21.6+440% | 4.0 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2010 |
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