CPU
GPU
Core 2 Extreme X7900
Athlon II X2 245
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 Core 2 Extreme X7900 is positioned at rank 1162 and the Athlon II X2 245 is on rank 862, so the Athlon II X2 245 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme X7900
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 245
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | Athlon II X2 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | Athlon II X2 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 Core 2 Extreme X7900 and Athlon II X2 245
Core 2 Extreme X7900
The Core 2 Extreme X7900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,115 points. Launch price was $851.
Athlon II X2 245
The Athlon II X2 245 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 July 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,134 points. Launch price was $35.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Extreme X7900 and Athlon II X2 245 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X7900 versus 2.9 GHz on the Athlon II X2 245 — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 245 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X7900 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Athlon II X2 245 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X7900 scores 1,115 against the Athlon II X2 245's 1,134 — a 1.7% lead for the Athlon II X2 245. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | Athlon II X2 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.9 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.9 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 MB |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Merom (2006−2008) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,115 | 1,134+2% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Extreme X7900 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon II X2 245 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Extreme X7900 versus 1333 on the Athlon II X2 245 — the Athlon II X2 245 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 245 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | Athlon II X2 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | 1333+66550% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB+26214300% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core 2 Extreme X7900 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Extreme X7900) vs true (Athlon II X2 245). Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme X7900 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 245 rivals Pentium E5500.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | Athlon II X2 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | true |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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