Ryzen 5 5600X vs Athlon II X2 255
Ryzen 5 5600X
Athlon II X2 255
Popular choices:
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600X
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 255
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600X | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($135) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 5600X | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+34%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($135) | ✅ 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 Ryzen 5 5600X and Athlon II X2 255
Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.
Athlon II X2 255
The Athlon II X2 255 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,210 points. Launch price was $60.
Processing Power
The Ryzen 5 5600X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Athlon II X2 255 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X2 255 — a 39% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Athlon II X2 255 uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Athlon II X2 255's 1,210 — a 179% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X2 255.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+200% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+48% | 3.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+19% | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512K (per core) | 1 MB+100% |
| Process | 7 nm, 12 nm-84% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 21,845+1705% | 1,210 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 265 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 500 |
Memory & Platform
The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Athlon II X2 255 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X2 255 — the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 255) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X) and 760G,780G,785G,790GX,870,880G,890GX,890FX (Athlon II X2 255).
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM4 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+100% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-3200+33% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+700% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop, Athlon II X2 255 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 255 rivals Pentium E5700.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Desktop | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Ryzen 5 5600X launched at $299 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 255 debuted at $60. At current prices ($135 vs $10), the Athlon II X2 255 is $125 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600X delivers 161.8 pts/$ vs 121.0 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 255 — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 28.9% better value option.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 5600X | Athlon II X2 255 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299 | $60-80% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $135 | $10-93% |
| Performance per Dollar | 161.8+34% | 121.0 |
| Release Date | 2020 | 2010 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Ryzen 5 5600X and Athlon II X2 255
