CPU
GPU
Xeon E5502
A6-3600
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 Xeon E5502 is positioned at rank 893 and the A6-3600 is on rank 613, so the A6-3600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5502
Performance Per Dollar A6-3600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5502 | A6-3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) | ✅ More affordable ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5502 | A6-3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+55%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($39) | ✅ More affordable ($25) |
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 Xeon E5502 and A6-3600
Xeon E5502
The Xeon E5502 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,725 points. Launch price was $95.
A6-3600
The A6-3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,718 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5502 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the A6-3600 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A6-3600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Xeon E5502 versus 2.4 GHz on the A6-3600 — a 24.8% clock advantage for the A6-3600 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E5502 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the A6-3600 uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5502 scores 1,725 against the A6-3600's 1,718 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5502. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 200 vs 253, a 23.4% lead for the A6-3600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5502 vs 0 kB on the A6-3600.
| Feature | Xeon E5502 | A6-3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.87 GHz | 2.4 GHz+28% |
| Base Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.1 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Gainestown (2009−2010) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 1,725 | 1,718 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 200 | 253+27% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 800 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5502 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the A6-3600 uses FM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-800 memory speed. The Xeon E5502 supports up to 144 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 160% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon E5502) vs 2 (A6-3600). PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E5502) vs 16 (A6-3600) — the Xeon E5502 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 5500,Intel 5520,Intel X58 (Xeon E5502) and A55,A75 (A6-3600).
| Feature | Xeon E5502 | A6-3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | FM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-800 | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 144 GB+800% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 32+100% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Xeon E5502) vs AMD-V (A6-3600). The A6-3600 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6530D), while the Xeon E5502 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3600 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A6-3600 rivals Pentium G630.
| Feature | Xeon E5502 | A6-3600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 6530D |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Budget Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5502 launched at $188 MSRP, while the A6-3600 debuted at $95. At current prices ($39 vs $25), the A6-3600 is $14 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5502 delivers 44.2 pts/$ vs 68.7 pts/$ for the A6-3600 — making the A6-3600 the 43.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5502 | A6-3600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $188 | $95-49% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $39 | $25-36% |
| Performance per Dollar | 44.2 | 68.7+55% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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