Core i3-560 vs Athlon X2 QL-65

Core i3-560

2 Cores4 Thrd73 WWMax: 0.33 GHz2010

Athlon X2 QL-65

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-560

2 / 4

1,642

+0.7%

1,630

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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 Core i3-560 is positioned at rank 964 and the Athlon X2 QL-65 is on rank 1056, so the Core i3-560 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 Core i3-560

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

26195%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

24751%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

17971%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5414%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4288%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3752%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2149%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2121%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1931%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1931%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1909%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1858%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1832%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1824%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1808%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

100%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

99%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

99%

#967

Pentium G3250

MSRP: $171|Avg: $25

99%

#968

Pentium E2200

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

99%

#969

Core 2 Duo E7300

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

98%

#970

Core i3-540

MSRP: $133|Avg: $5

98%

#972

Phenom II X3 700e

MSRP: $125|Avg: $40

98%

#973

Core i5-760

MSRP: $230|Avg: $61

97%

#974

Core i3-7102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $80

97%

#975

Core 2 Quad Q8400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $128

95%

#976

Pentium Dual-Core E2180

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

94%

#977

Pentium E2180

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

94%

#978

Pentium Dual-Core E2140

MSRP: $74|Avg: $5

93%

#979

Core i7-960

MSRP: $309|Avg: $110

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 QL-65

#1044

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2699%

#1045

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2660%

#1046

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2442%

#1047

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2431%

#1048

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2408%

#1050

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2326%

#1051

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2230%

#1052

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2226%

#1053

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2167%

#1056

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

100%

#1057

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

99%

#1058

Core i7-4900MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $40

99%

#1059

Celeron P4505

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

98%

#1060

Pentium Dual Core T2370

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

98%

#1061

Pentium T4200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $10

98%

#1062

Core i7-2720QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#1063

Pentium 2020M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

97%

#1064

Celeron P4500

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

97%

#1065

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

97%

#1066

Processor N50

MSRP: $128|Avg: $120

96%

#1067

Athlon II N350

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

96%

#1068

Celeron N3350

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

#1070

Core i7-2675QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

95%

#1071

A9-9410

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Athlon X2 QL-65 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-560 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-560	Athlon X2 QL-65
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($22)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-560 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 55% cheaper ($10 vs $22) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-560	Athlon X2 QL-65
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+122%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($22)

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.

Core i3-560 Benchmark Check

Athlon X2 QL-65 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-560 and Athlon X2 QL-65

Core i3-560

The Core i3-560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.33 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,642 points. Launch price was $190.

Athlon X2 QL-65

The Athlon X2 QL-65 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Lion (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,630 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-560 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon X2 QL-65's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.33 GHz on the Core i3-560 versus 2.1 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-65 — a 145.7% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 QL-65. The Core i3-560 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon X2 QL-65 uses Lion (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-560 scores 1,642 against the Athlon X2 QL-65's 1,630 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-560. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-560 vs 0 kB on the Athlon X2 QL-65.

Feature	Core i3-560	Athlon X2 QL-65
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.33 GHz	2.1 GHz+536%
Base Clock	3.33 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Lion (2008−2009)
PassMark	1,642	1,630

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-560 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X2 QL-65 uses S1g2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-560	Athlon X2 QL-65
Socket	LGA1156	S1g2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-560 launched at $138 MSRP, while the Athlon X2 QL-65 debuted at $150. At current prices ($10 vs $22), the Core i3-560 is $12 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-560 delivers 164.2 pts/$ vs 74.1 pts/$ for the Athlon X2 QL-65 — making the Core i3-560 the 75.6% better value option.