CPU
GPU
Pentium E2180
Athlon II X2 260u
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 Pentium E2180 is positioned at rank 976 and the Athlon II X2 260u is on rank 873, so the Athlon II X2 260u offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium E2180
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 260u
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium E2180 | Athlon II X2 260u |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium E2180 | Athlon II X2 260u |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+58%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($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 Pentium E2180 and Athlon II X2 260u
Pentium E2180
The Pentium E2180 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 938 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon II X2 260u
The Athlon II X2 260u is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 990 points. Launch price was $83.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X2 260u is built on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium E2180 scores 938 against the Athlon II X2 260u's 990 — a 5.4% lead for the Athlon II X2 260u. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium E2180 vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 260u.
| Feature | Pentium E2180 | Athlon II X2 260u |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | — | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | — | 1.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 1 MB L2 Cache | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | — | 1 MB |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | — | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 938 | 990+6% |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium E2180 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon II X2 260u uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Pentium E2180 versus 1333 on the Athlon II X2 260u — the Athlon II X2 260u supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X2 260u supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support.
| Feature | Pentium E2180 | Athlon II X2 260u |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 800 | 1333+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 16+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: false (Pentium E2180) vs true (Athlon II X2 260u). Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 260u rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.
| Feature | Pentium E2180 | Athlon II X2 260u |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | false | true |
Value Analysis
The Pentium E2180 launched at $84 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 260u debuted at $60. At current prices ($15 vs $10), the Athlon II X2 260u is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium E2180 delivers 62.5 pts/$ vs 99.0 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 260u — making the Athlon II X2 260u the 45.2% better value option.
| Feature | Pentium E2180 | Athlon II X2 260u |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $84 | $60-29% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15 | $10-33% |
| Performance per Dollar | 62.5 | 99.0+58% |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2009 |
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