CPU
GPU
Athlon XP 3000+
Athlon 64 2600+
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 XP 3000+ is positioned at rank 1138 and the Athlon 64 2600+ is on rank 1080, so the Athlon 64 2600+ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon XP 3000+
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 2600+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon XP 3000+ | Athlon 64 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Barton (2001−2004) / 130 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lima (2008−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon XP 3000+ | Athlon 64 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+284%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon XP 3000+ and Athlon 64 2600+
Athlon XP 3000+
The Athlon XP 3000+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2001 (24 years ago). It is based on the Barton (2001−2004) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.17 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: A. Thermal design power (TDP): 68 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 408 points. Launch price was $78.
Athlon 64 2600+
The Athlon 64 2600+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Lima (2008−2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 392 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon XP 3000+ and Athlon 64 2600+ share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.17 GHz on the Athlon XP 3000+ versus 1.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 2600+ — a 30.2% clock advantage for the Athlon XP 3000+. The Athlon XP 3000+ uses the Barton (2001−2004) architecture (130 nm), while the Athlon 64 2600+ uses Lima (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon XP 3000+ scores 408 against the Athlon 64 2600+'s 392 — a 4% lead for the Athlon XP 3000+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon XP 3000+ | Athlon 64 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 2.17 GHz+36% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 130 nm | 65 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Barton (2001−2004) | Lima (2008−2009) |
| PassMark | 408+4% | 392 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon XP 3000+ uses the A socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon 64 2600+ uses AM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR-333 on the Athlon XP 3000+ versus DDR2-667 on the Athlon 64 2600+ — the Athlon 64 2600+ supports -202.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon 64 2600+ supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Athlon XP 3000+) vs 2 (Athlon 64 2600+). Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD Socket A (Athlon XP 3000+) and AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 2600+).
| Feature | Athlon XP 3000+ | Athlon 64 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | A | AM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR-333 | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 2+100% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Value Analysis
The Athlon XP 3000+ launched at $588 MSRP, while the Athlon 64 2600+ debuted at $100. At current prices ($20 vs $5), the Athlon 64 2600+ is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon XP 3000+ delivers 20.4 pts/$ vs 78.4 pts/$ for the Athlon 64 2600+ — making the Athlon 64 2600+ the 117.4% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon XP 3000+ | Athlon 64 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $588 | $100-83% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | $5-75% |
| Performance per Dollar | 20.4 | 78.4+284% |
| Release Date | 2001 | 2008 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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