Athlon X2 QL-66 vs Atom D525

Athlon X2 QL-66 vs Atom D525 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X2 QL-66

2 / 2

1,695

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Atom D525

2 / 4

1,707

+0.7%

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 QL-66 vs Atom D525 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 QL-66 vs Atom D525: 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 QL-66

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 13W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,695 vs 1,707).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.3 vs 27.1 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $63 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom D525 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Atom D525

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $87 less on MSRP ($63 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 139.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.1 vs 11.3 PassMark/$ ($63 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3150, while Athlon X2 QL-66 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌1200% higher power demand at 13W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom D525 better than Athlon X2 QL-66?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X2 QL-66 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom D525 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom D525 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Atom D525 is the better buy right now. Atom D525 comes in $87 cheaper on MSRP at $63 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Athlon X2 QL-66 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 139.8% better value on MSRP (27.1 vs 11.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Atom D525 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X2 QL-66 vs Atom D525 Technical Specifications

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

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	512K (per core)+51100%
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 19.9% 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 — 100% 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+20%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
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

At launch, the Athlon X2 QL-66 was priced at $150, while the Atom D525 came in at $63. On launch pricing ($150 vs $63), Atom D525 was $87 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 QL-66 delivers 11.3 pts/$ vs 27.1 pts/$ for the Atom D525 — making the Atom D525 the 82.3% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X2 QL-66	Atom D525
MSRP	$150	$63-58%
Performance per Dollar	11.3	27.1+140%
Release Date	2009	2010

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