CPU
GPU
Athlon X2 QL-64
Core i5-2557M
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon X2 QL-64 is positioned at rank 665 and the Core i5-2557M is on rank 36, so the Core i5-2557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 QL-64
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-64 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-64 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 X2 QL-64 and Core i5-2557M
Athlon X2 QL-64
The Athlon X2 QL-64 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Lion (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,614 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The Athlon X2 QL-64 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2557M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-64 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M. The Athlon X2 QL-64 uses the Lion (2008−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 QL-64 scores 1,614 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-2557M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon X2 QL-64 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-64 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.7 GHz+29% |
| Base Clock | — | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Lion (2008−2009) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,614 | 1,618 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 521 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 882 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X2 QL-64 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-64 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2557M — the Core i5-2557M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon X2 QL-64) vs 16 (Core i5-2557M) — the Core i5-2557M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket S1 (Athlon X2 QL-64) and HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M).
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-64 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1333+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X2 QL-64) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). The Core i5-2557M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon X2 QL-64 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-64 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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