CPU
GPU
Phenom II X2 B57
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
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 Phenom II X2 B57 is positioned at rank 484 and the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ is on rank 1101, so the Phenom II X2 B57 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X2 B57
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X2 B57 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Callisto (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Manchester (2005−2006) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X2 B57 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) |
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 Phenom II X2 B57 and Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Phenom II X2 B57
The Phenom II X2 B57 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,260 points. Launch price was $149.
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Dezembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,255 points. Launch price was $309.
Processing Power
Both the Phenom II X2 B57 and Athlon 64 X2 4200+ share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X2 B57 versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ — a 37% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 B57. The Phenom II X2 B57 uses the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ uses Manchester (2005−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X2 B57 scores 1,260 against the Athlon 64 X2 4200+'s 1,255 — a 0.4% lead for the Phenom II X2 B57. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X2 B57 vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 4200+.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 B57 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+45% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm-50% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Callisto (2009−2010) | Manchester (2005−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,260 | 1,255 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X2 B57 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ uses 939 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 B57 | Athlon 64 X2 4200+ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | 939 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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