
Atom N455 vs Athlon XP 2600+

Atom N455

Athlon XP 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 Atom N455 is positioned at rank 633 and the Athlon XP 2600+ is on rank 1085, so the Atom N455 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom N455
Performance Per Dollar Athlon XP 2600+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom N455 | Athlon XP 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Pinetrail (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Barton (2001−2004) / 130 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom N455 | Athlon XP 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| 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 N455 and Athlon XP 2600+

Atom N455
The Atom N455 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2010 (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: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 6.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 345 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 N455 packs 1 cores / 2 threads, matching the Athlon XP 2600+'s 1 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.67 GHz on the Atom N455 versus 1.92 GHz on the Athlon XP 2600+ — a 13.9% clock advantage for the Athlon XP 2600+. The Atom N455 uses the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon XP 2600+ uses Barton (2001−2004) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Atom N455 scores 345 against the Athlon XP 2600+'s 340 — a 1.5% lead for the Atom N455. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Atom N455 | 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 | 512K (per core) | 512K |
| Process | 45 nm-65% | 130 nm |
| Architecture | Pinetrail (2009−2011) | Barton (2001−2004) |
| PassMark | 345+1% | 340 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom N455 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 DDR3-667 on the Atom N455 versus DDR-333 on the Athlon XP 2600+ — the Atom N455 supports -203.6% 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 N455) and AMD Socket A (Athlon XP 2600+).
| Feature | Atom N455 | Athlon XP 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA559 | A |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-667 | DDR-333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 GB | 4 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 1 | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
The Atom N455 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Athlon XP 2600+ requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Atom N455 | Athlon XP 2600+ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel GMA 3150 | — |
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