CPU
GPU
Atom N280
Athlon XP 2400+
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 Atom N280 is positioned at rank 367 and the Athlon XP 2400+ is on rank 1109, so the Atom N280 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom N280
Performance Per Dollar Athlon XP 2400+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom N280 | Athlon XP 2400+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (DiamondVille (2008−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Thorton (2001−2003) / 130 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom N280 | Athlon XP 2400+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Atom N280 and Athlon XP 2400+
Atom N280
The Atom N280 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 2.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 285 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon XP 2400+
The Athlon XP 2400+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Agosto 2002 (23 years ago). It is based on the Thorton (2001−2003) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: A. Thermal design power (TDP): 68 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 305 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Atom N280 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Athlon XP 2400+'s 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Atom N280 versus 2 GHz on the Athlon XP 2400+ — a 186.5% clock advantage for the Athlon XP 2400+. The Atom N280 uses the DiamondVille (2008−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon XP 2400+ uses Thorton (2001−2003) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N280 scores 285 against the Athlon XP 2400+'s 305 — a 6.8% lead for the Athlon XP 2400+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Atom N280 | Athlon XP 2400+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 2 | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 0.07 GHz | 2 GHz+2757% |
| Base Clock | 1.66 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB |
| Process | 45 nm-65% | 130 nm |
| Architecture | DiamondVille (2008−2009) | Thorton (2001−2003) |
| PassMark | 285 | 305+7% |
Memory & Platform
The Atom N280 uses the PBGA437 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon XP 2400+ uses A (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom N280 versus DDR-266 on the Athlon XP 2400+ — the Atom N280 supports -203% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon XP 2400+ supports up to 4 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 1-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel PBGA437 (Atom N280) and AMD Socket A (Athlon XP 2400+).
| Feature | Atom N280 | Athlon XP 2400+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PBGA437 | A |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-533 | DDR-266 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 GB | 4 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
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