Athlon X2 QL-66 vs Atom D525
Athlon X2 QL-66
Atom D525
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-66 is positioned at rank 1048 and the Atom D525 is on rank 31, so the Atom D525 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-66
Performance Per Dollar Atom D525
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-66 | Atom D525 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($63) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Pinetrail (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-66 | Atom D525 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1151%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($63) |
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-66 and Atom D525
Athlon X2 QL-66
The Athlon X2 QL-66 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: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,695 points. Launch price was $149.
Atom D525
The Atom D525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,707 points. Launch price was $63.
Processing Power
The Athlon X2 QL-66 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Atom D525's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-66 versus 1.83 GHz on the Atom D525 — a 18.4% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 QL-66. The Athlon X2 QL-66 uses the Lion (2008−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Atom D525 uses Pinetrail (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 QL-66 scores 1,695 against the Atom D525's 1,707 — a 0.7% lead for the Atom D525.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-66 | Atom D525 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz+20% | 1.83 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Lion (2008−2009) | Pinetrail (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,695 | 1,707 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X2 QL-66 uses the S1g2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom D525 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-66 versus DDR3-800 on the Atom D525 — the Atom D525 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 QL-66 supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon X2 QL-66) vs 1 (Atom D525). Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD S1 (Athlon X2 QL-66) and Intel NM10 (Atom D525).
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-66 | Atom D525 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1g2 | FCBGA559 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-800+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
The Atom D525 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-66 | Atom D525 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel GMA 3150 |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X2 QL-66 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Atom D525 debuted at $63.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-66 | Atom D525 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $63-58% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5 | — |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2010 |
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