Athlon X2 QL-66 vs Atom Z2760

AMD

Athlon X2 QL-66

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Atom Z2760

2 Cores4 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012

Athlon X2 QL-66 vs Atom Z2760 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 QL-66 vs Atom Z2760 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 Z2760: 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

  • βœ…Draws 1W instead of 3W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,695 vs 1,697).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Atom Z2760 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Atom Z2760 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Atom Z2760

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.1% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel GMA 3650, while Athlon X2 QL-66 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌200% higher power demand at 3W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 QL-66 better than Atom Z2760?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X2 QL-66 is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z2760 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom Z2760 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon X2 QL-66 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 QL-66 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Atom Z2760 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Z2760 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 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 Z2760 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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 (2008βˆ’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.

Intel

Atom Z2760

The Atom Z2760 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Cloverview (2012) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FC-MB4760. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,697 points. Launch price was $69.

⚑

Processing Power

The Athlon X2 QL-66 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Atom Z2760's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-66 versus 1.8 GHz on the Atom Z2760 β€” a 20% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 QL-66. The Athlon X2 QL-66 uses the Lion (2008βˆ’2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Atom Z2760 uses Cloverview (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 QL-66 scores 1,695 against the Atom Z2760's 1,697 β€” a 0.1% lead for the Atom Z2760.

FeatureAthlon X2 QL-66Atom Z2760
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz+22%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
β€”
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
β€”
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB
512K (per core)+51100%
Process
65 nm
32 nm-51%
Architecture
Lion (2008βˆ’2009)
Cloverview (2012)
PassMark
1,695
1,697
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 QL-66 uses the S1g2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom Z2760 uses FC-MB4760 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-66 versus LPDDR2-800 on the Atom Z2760 β€” the Atom Z2760 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 2 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD S1 (Athlon X2 QL-66) and Intel BGA1264 (Atom Z2760).

FeatureAthlon X2 QL-66Atom Z2760
Socket
S1g2
FC-MB4760
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
LPDDR2-800+20%
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB+300%
2 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
0
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

The Atom Z2760 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3650), while the Athlon X2 QL-66 requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureAthlon X2 QL-66Atom Z2760
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
β€”
Intel GMA 3650