Athlon X2 BE-2400 vs Core 2 Duo E6300

AMD

Athlon X2 BE-2400

2 Cores2 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2007
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo E6300

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 1.87 GHz2006
Similar parts
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Athlon X2 BE-2400 vs Core 2 Duo E6300 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 BE-2400 vs Core 2 Duo E6300 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 X2 BE-2400 vs Core 2 Duo E6300: 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 BE-2400

2007

Why buy it

  • Costs $103 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
  • Delivers 170.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.5 vs 6.5 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
  • Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,050 vs 1,055).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6300.

Core 2 Duo E6300

2006

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Athlon X2 BE-2400.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.5 vs 17.5 PassMark/$ ($163 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
  • 44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 BE-2400 better than Core 2 Duo E6300?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X2 BE-2400 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E6300 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E6300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon X2 BE-2400 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 BE-2400 comes in $103 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $163 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E6300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 170.4% better value on MSRP (17.5 vs 6.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon X2 BE-2400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2007 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X2 BE-2400 vs Core 2 Duo E6300 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon X2 BE-2400

The Athlon X2 BE-2400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Brisbane (2007−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,050 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core 2 Duo E6300

The Core 2 Duo E6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,055 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

Both the Athlon X2 BE-2400 and Core 2 Duo E6300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Athlon X2 BE-2400 versus 1.87 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6300 — a 20.6% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 BE-2400. The Athlon X2 BE-2400 uses the Brisbane (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E6300 uses Conroe (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 BE-2400 scores 1,050 against the Core 2 Duo E6300's 1,055 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6300. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAthlon X2 BE-2400Core 2 Duo E6300
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.3 GHz+23%
1.87 GHz
Base Clock
1.86 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
2 MB+300%
Process
65 nm
65 nm
Architecture
Brisbane (2007−2008)
Conroe (2006−2007)
PassMark
1,050
1,055
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 BE-2400 uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo E6300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon X2 BE-2400 versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo E6300 — the Core 2 Duo E6300 supports 33.3% 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: 0 (Athlon X2 BE-2400) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E6300) — the Core 2 Duo E6300 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon X2 BE-2400) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6300).

FeatureAthlon X2 BE-2400Core 2 Duo E6300
Socket
AM2
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-800
1066+33%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X2 BE-2400) / true (Core 2 Duo E6300). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6300 rivals Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

FeatureAthlon X2 BE-2400Core 2 Duo E6300
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X2 BE-2400 was priced at $60, while the Core 2 Duo E6300 came in at $163. On launch pricing ($60 vs $163), Athlon X2 BE-2400 was $103 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 BE-2400 delivers 17.5 pts/$ vs 6.5 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E6300 — making the Athlon X2 BE-2400 the 92% better value option.

FeatureAthlon X2 BE-2400Core 2 Duo E6300
MSRP
$60-63%
$163
Performance per Dollar
17.5+169%
6.5
Release Date
2007
2006

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