CPU
GPU
Athlon X2 QL-65
Athlon II X3 435
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-65 is positioned at rank 1056 and the Athlon II X3 435 is on rank 817, so the Athlon II X3 435 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-65
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X3 435
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Athlon II X3 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($22) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Athlon II X3 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+48%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($22) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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-65 and Athlon II X3 435
Athlon X2 QL-65
The Athlon X2 QL-65 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: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,630 points. Launch price was $149.
Athlon II X3 435
The Athlon II X3 435 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: 1,645 points. Launch price was $160.
Processing Power
The Athlon X2 QL-65 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Athlon II X3 435 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X3 435 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-65 versus 2.9 GHz on the Athlon II X3 435 — a 32% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 435. The Athlon X2 QL-65 uses the Lion (2008−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Athlon II X3 435 uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 QL-65 scores 1,630 against the Athlon II X3 435's 1,645 — a 0.9% lead for the Athlon II X3 435. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Athlon II X3 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.9 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Lion (2008−2009) | Rana (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,630 | 1,645 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X2 QL-65 uses the S1g2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X3 435 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-65 versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X3 435 — the Athlon II X3 435 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X3 435 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon X2 QL-65) vs 16 (Athlon II X3 435) — the Athlon II X3 435 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD S1 (Athlon X2 QL-65) and AM3 (Athlon II X3 435).
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Athlon II X3 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1g2 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1333+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X2 QL-65) / AMD-V (Athlon II X3 435).
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Athlon II X3 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X2 QL-65 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Athlon II X3 435 debuted at $87. At current prices ($22 vs $15), the Athlon II X3 435 is $7 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 QL-65 delivers 74.1 pts/$ vs 109.7 pts/$ for the Athlon II X3 435 — making the Athlon II X3 435 the 38.7% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Athlon II X3 435 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $87-42% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $22 | $15-32% |
| Performance per Dollar | 74.1 | 109.7+48% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2009 |
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