Athlon XP 1800+ vs Z-01

AMD

Athlon XP 1800+

1 Cores1 Thrd66 WWMax: 1.53 GHz2001
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Z-01

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 1 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Athlon XP 1800+ vs Z-01 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 XP 1800+ 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 1800+

2001

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +20.0% higher average FPS across 18 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Z-01.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 0.9 vs 4.3 PassMark/$ ($252 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
  • 1000% higher power demand at 66W vs 6W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Z-01 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Z-01

2011

Why buy it

  • Costs $202 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $252 MSRP).
  • Delivers 381.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 4.3 vs 0.9 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $252 MSRP).
  • Draws 6W instead of 66W, a 60W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6250, while Athlon XP 1800+ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon XP 1800+ across 18 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (180 vs 651).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon XP 1800+.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon XP 1800+ better than Z-01?
Yes. Athlon XP 1800+ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 18 shared CPU game tests in our data, 261.7% better Geekbench multi-core, and 4.7% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Athlon XP 1800+ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 20.0% more average FPS across 18 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon XP 1800+ is the stronger fit. You are getting 261.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon XP 1800+ is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Athlon XP 1800+ comes in 404.0% more expensive on MSRP at $252 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you a 20.0% average FPS lead across 18 shared CPU game tests in our data. Z-01 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 20.0% in the shared gaming data.
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). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon XP 1800+ vs Z-01 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon XP 1800+

The Athlon XP 1800+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2001 (24 years ago). It is based on the Thoroughbred (2001−2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 180 nm process technology. Socket: A. Thermal design power (TDP): 66 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 225 points. Launch price was $59.

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 1800+ packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Z-01 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Z-01 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.53 GHz on the Athlon XP 1800+ versus 1 GHz on the Z-01 — a 41.9% clock advantage for the Athlon XP 1800+. The Athlon XP 1800+ uses the Thoroughbred (2001−2002) architecture (180 nm), while the Z-01 uses Desna (2011) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon XP 1800+ scores 225 against the Z-01's 215 — a 4.5% lead for the Athlon XP 1800+. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 180 vs 100, a 57.1% lead for the Athlon XP 1800+ that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 651 vs 180 (113.4% advantage for the Athlon XP 1800+). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Z-01
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock
1.53 GHz+53%
1 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
256 kB
1 MB+300%
Process
180 nm
40 nm-78%
Architecture
Thoroughbred (2001−2002)
Desna (2011)
PassMark
225+5%
215
Geekbench 6 Single
180+80%
100
Geekbench 6 Multi
651+262%
180
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon XP 1800+ 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 DDR1 on the Athlon XP 1800+ versus DDR3-1066 on the Z-01 — the Z-01 supports 106500% 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: KT133,KT266,nForce2 (Athlon XP 1800+) and Desna (Z-01).

FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Z-01
Socket
A
FT1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
DDR1
DDR3-1066+106500%
Max RAM Capacity
2 GB
4 GB+100%
RAM Channels
1
1
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
4
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: No (Athlon XP 1800+) vs AMD-V (Z-01). The Z-01 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6250), while the Athlon XP 1800+ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon XP 1800+ targets Budget, Z-01 targets Tablet/Netbook. Direct competitor: Athlon XP 1800+ rivals Pentium D 830.

FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Z-01
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 6250
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
No
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget
Tablet/Netbook
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon XP 1800+ was priced at $252, while the Z-01 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($252 vs $50), Z-01 was $202 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon XP 1800+ delivers 0.9 pts/$ vs 4.3 pts/$ for the Z-01 — making the Z-01 the 131.2% better value option.

FeatureAthlon XP 1800+Z-01
MSRP
$252
$50-80%
Performance per Dollar
0.9
4.3+378%
Release Date
2001
2011

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