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Athlon XP 1500+ vs Z-01

CPUCPUGPUGPU
AMD

Athlon XP 1500+

1 Cores1 Thrd60 WWMax: 1.33 GHz2001
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VS
AMD

Z-01

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 1 GHz2011
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Athlon XP 1500+ vs Z-01 Performance Spectrum

Athlon XP 1500+
1 / 1
188
0.0%
brand logoRyzen 7 4700GE
brand logoRyzen 9 5900X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 3990X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 7970X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 7980X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX
Z-01
2 / 2
215
+14.4%
brand logoAthlon XP 1500+
brand logoRyzen 7 4700GE
brand logoRyzen 9 5900X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 3990X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 7970X
brand logoRyzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX
brand logoRyzen Threadripper 7980X

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 XP 1500+ vs Z-01: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon XP 1500+

2001

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Lower PassMark (188 vs 215).
    • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.4 vs 4.3 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
    • ❌900% higher power demand at 60W vs 6W.
    • ❌No integrated graphics, while Z-01 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Z-01

    2011

    Why buy it

    • ✅+14.4% higher PassMark.
    • ✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
    • ✅Delivers 197.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 4.3 vs 1.4 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
    • ✅Draws 6W instead of 60W, a 54W reduction.
    • ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Z-01 better than Athlon XP 1500+?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon XP 1500+ is ahead with 33% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Z-01 pulls ahead with 14.4% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Z-01 is the stronger fit. You are getting 14.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Z-01 is the better buy right now. Z-01 comes in $80 cheaper on MSRP at $50 MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you 14.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Athlon XP 1500+ is still the better pure gaming CPU with 33% higher max boost clock. It is also 197.3% better value on MSRP (4.3 vs 1.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Z-01 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2001) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Athlon XP 1500+ vs Z-01 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    Athlon XP 1500+

    The Athlon XP 1500+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Palomino (2001) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 180 nm process technology. Socket: A. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 188 points. Launch price was $149.

    AMD

    Z-01

    The Z-01 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Desna (2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3 Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 215 points. Launch price was $69.

    ⚡

    Processing Power

    The Athlon XP 1500+ packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Z-01 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Z-01 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.33 GHz on the Athlon XP 1500+ versus 1 GHz on the Z-01 — a 28.3% clock advantage for the Athlon XP 1500+. The Athlon XP 1500+ uses the Palomino (2001) architecture (180 nm), while the Z-01 uses Desna (2011) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon XP 1500+ scores 188 against the Z-01's 215 — a 13.4% lead for the Z-01. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

    FeatureAthlon XP 1500+Z-01
    Cores / Threads
    1 / 1
    2 / 2+100%
    Boost Clock
    1.33 GHz+33%
    1 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    0 kB
    L2 Cache
    256 kB
    1 MB+300%
    Process
    180 nm
    40 nm-78%
    Architecture
    Palomino (2001)
    Desna (2011)
    PassMark
    188
    215+14%
    Geekbench 6 Single
    —
    100
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    —
    180
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Athlon XP 1500+ uses the A socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Z-01 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR-266 on the Athlon XP 1500+ versus DDR3-1066 on the Z-01 — the Z-01 supports -500.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Z-01 supports up to 4 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: AMD Socket A (Athlon XP 1500+) and Desna (Z-01).

    FeatureAthlon XP 1500+Z-01
    Socket
    A
    FT1
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR-266
    DDR3-1066
    Max RAM Capacity
    2 GB
    4 GB+100%
    RAM Channels
    1
    1
    ECC Support
    No
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    —
    4
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: None (Athlon XP 1500+) vs AMD-V (Z-01). The Z-01 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6250), while the Athlon XP 1500+ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon XP 1500+ targets Desktop, Z-01 targets Tablet/Netbook.

    FeatureAthlon XP 1500+Z-01
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    —
    Radeon HD 6250
    Unlocked
    No
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    No
    Virtualization
    None
    AMD-V
    Target Use
    Desktop
    Tablet/Netbook
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Athlon XP 1500+ was priced at $130, while the Z-01 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($130 vs $50), Z-01 was $80 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon XP 1500+ delivers 1.4 pts/$ vs 4.3 pts/$ for the Z-01 — making the Z-01 the 99.3% better value option.

    FeatureAthlon XP 1500+Z-01
    MSRP
    $130
    $50-62%
    Performance per Dollar
    1.4
    4.3+207%
    Release Date
    2001
    2011
    Search Athlon XP 1500+ on AmazonSearch Z-01 on Amazon

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