Celeron 4205U vs Athlon II X2 280

Celeron 4205U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2019

Athlon II X2 280

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron 4205U

2 / 2

1,350

0.0%

1,355

+0.4%

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 Celeron 4205U is positioned at rank 152 and the Athlon II X2 280 is on rank 638, so the Celeron 4205U 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 Celeron 4205U

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

98%

#140

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

326%

#141

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

321%

#142

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

295%

#143

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

294%

#144

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

291%

#146

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

281%

#147

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

269%

#148

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

269%

#149

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

262%

#152

Celeron 4205U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 280

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

11502%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

10869%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

7892%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2377%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1883%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1647%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

944%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

931%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

848%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

848%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

838%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

816%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

804%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

801%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

794%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

99%

#638

Athlon II X2 280

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

100%

#639

FX-8300

MSRP: $197|Avg: $50

100%

#640

Celeron G540T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

100%

#641

Core i5-6600

MSRP: $224|Avg: $90

100%

#642

Core i5-4460

MSRP: $182|Avg: $40

100%

#645

Core i3-4170T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $17

99%

#646

FX-8370E

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

99%

#647

Core i5-4590S

MSRP: $192|Avg: $45

99%

#648

Pentium G2020

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#649

Pentium G3450

MSRP: $82|Avg: $25

98%

#650

Core i7-6700

MSRP: $303|Avg: $143

98%

#651

Athlon II X4 631

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

98%

#652

Pentium G3240T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#653

Core i3-4160T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $18

97%

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 Celeron 4205U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron 4205U	Athlon II X2 280
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Athlon II X2 280 (2013) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron 4205U	Athlon II X2 280
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)

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.

Celeron 4205U Benchmark Check

Athlon II X2 280 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron 4205U and Athlon II X2 280

Celeron 4205U

The Celeron 4205U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,350 points. Launch price was $107.

Athlon II X2 280

The Athlon II X2 280 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,355 points. Launch price was $100.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Celeron 4205U and Athlon II X2 280 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Celeron 4205U versus 3.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 280 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 280 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Celeron 4205U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Athlon II X2 280 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 4205U scores 1,350 against the Athlon II X2 280's 1,355 — a 0.4% lead for the Athlon II X2 280. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 347 vs 290, a 17.9% lead for the Celeron 4205U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 585 vs 550 (6.2% advantage for the Celeron 4205U). L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 4205U vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 280.

Feature	Celeron 4205U	Athlon II X2 280
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Regor (2009−2013)
PassMark	1,350	1,355
Geekbench 6 Single	347+20%	290
Geekbench 6 Multi	585+6%	550

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron 4205U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon II X2 280 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Celeron 4205U versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X2 280 — the Celeron 4205U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 4205U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 4205U) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 280) — the Celeron 4205U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Whiskey Lake-U (Celeron 4205U) and 870,880G,890GX,890FX,970,990X,990FX (Athlon II X2 280).

Feature	Celeron 4205U	Athlon II X2 280
Socket	FCBGA1528	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	12	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 4205U) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X2 280). The Celeron 4205U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Athlon II X2 280 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 4205U targets Budget, Athlon II X2 280 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Celeron 4205U rivals Pentium Gold 4417U; Athlon II X2 280 rivals Pentium E6700.