Atom N450 vs Athlon XP 2600+

Atom N450

1 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.67 GHz2009

Athlon XP 2600+

1 Cores1 Thrd68 WWMax: 1.92 GHz2001

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Atom N450

1 / 2

325

0.0%

340

+4.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 N450 is positioned at rank 660 and the Athlon XP 2600+ is on rank 1085, so the Atom N450 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Atom N450

#648

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

903%

#649

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

890%

#650

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

817%

#651

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

813%

#652

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

805%

#654

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

778%

#655

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

746%

#656

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

745%

#657

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

725%

#660

Atom N450

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#662

Athlon II P360

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

100%

#665

Athlon X2 QL-64

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

99%

#666

Core 3 N350

MSRP: $225|Avg: $220

99%

#668

FX-7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon XP 2600+

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

89831%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

84882%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

61631%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

18567%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

14707%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

12866%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

7369%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

7273%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

6622%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

6621%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

6547%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

6371%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

6282%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

6256%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

6199%

#1085

Athlon XP 2600+

MSRP: $98|Avg: $10

100%

#1086

Core i7-965

MSRP: $1000|Avg: $40

99%

#1087

Athlon 64 FX-74

MSRP: $499|Avg: $50

96%

#1088

Athlon 64 2000+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

95%

#1089

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399

95%

#1090

Athlon 64 X2 5600+

MSRP: $505|Avg: $15

95%

#1091

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

MSRP: $485|Avg: $78

94%

#1092

Celeron 2.30

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

94%

#1093

Phenom X4 9450e

MSRP: $450|Avg: $430

93%

#1094

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

MSRP: $354|Avg: $20

89%

#1095

Athlon 64 3000+

MSRP: $149|Avg: $10

87%

#1096

Athlon XP 3100+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

82%

#1097

Athlon 64 3300+

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

75%

#1098

Athlon 64 2800+

MSRP: $178|Avg: $15

68%

#1099

Athlon 64 3700+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $20

66%

#1100

Athlon 64 FX-72

MSRP: $799|Avg: $40

65%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom N450 (2009) utilizes 45 nm technology and DDR2, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Atom N450	Athlon XP 2600+
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 (Pinetrail (2009−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Barton (2001−2004) / 130 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Athlon XP 2600+ (2001) relies on 130 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Atom N450	Athlon XP 2600+
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Atom N450 Benchmark Check

Athlon XP 2600+ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Atom N450 and Athlon XP 2600+

Atom N450

The Atom N450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 December 2009 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 325 points. Launch price was $64.

Athlon XP 2600+

The Athlon XP 2600+ 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: 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: A. Thermal design power (TDP): 68 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 340 points. Launch price was $23.

⚡

Processing Power

The Atom N450 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Athlon XP 2600+'s 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.67 GHz on the Atom N450 versus 1.92 GHz on the Athlon XP 2600+ — a 13.9% clock advantage for the Athlon XP 2600+. The Atom N450 uses the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon XP 2600+ uses Barton (2001−2004) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N450 scores 325 against the Athlon XP 2600+'s 340 — a 4.5% lead for the Athlon XP 2600+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Atom N450	Athlon XP 2600+
Cores / Threads	1 / 2	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.67 GHz	1.92 GHz+15%
Base Clock	1.66 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	512K
Process	45 nm-65%	130 nm
Architecture	Pinetrail (2009−2011)	Barton (2001−2004)
PassMark	325	340+5%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Atom N450 uses the FCBGA559 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon XP 2600+ uses A (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Atom N450 versus DDR-333 on the Athlon XP 2600+ — the Atom N450 supports -202.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon XP 2600+ 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 NM10 (Atom N450) and AMD Socket A (Athlon XP 2600+).

Feature	Atom N450	Athlon XP 2600+
Socket	FCBGA559	A
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR-333
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	4 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	1
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	0