Athlon 64 X2 3600+
CPU·Budget

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

AMD

PassMark

1,020

MSRP

$150

AVG Price

$10

2009-01-01
89 Watt
Manchester (2005−2006)

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.

Overview

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 3600+

#355
Core i9-13900KS
MSRP: $699|Avg: $580
102%
#356
Pentium G870
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
102%
#357
Athlon II X2 260
MSRP: $60|Avg: $12
102%
#358
Ryzen 5 2400G
MSRP: $169|Avg: $84
102%
#359
Ryzen 9 9950X3D
MSRP: $699|Avg: $675
102%
#360
Athlon II X3 420e
MSRP: $107|Avg: $15
102%
#361
Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G
MSRP: $149|Avg: $105.5
102%
#362
Core i7-13700
MSRP: $384|Avg: $350
101%
#363
Pentium G620
MSRP: $64|Avg: $12
101%
#364
Core i5-3475S
MSRP: $249|Avg: $42
101%
#365
Athlon 200GE
MSRP: $55|Avg: $40
101%
#366
Core i5-13500E
MSRP: $235|Avg: $235
101%
#367
Core i5-650
MSRP: $176|Avg: $22
100%
#368
Celeron G1620T
MSRP: $42|Avg: $15
100%
#369
Core i5-12500E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $200
100%
#370
Athlon 64 X2 3600+
MSRP: $150|Avg: $10
100%
#371
FX-9590
MSRP: $350|Avg: $100
100%
#372
Core i9-11900
MSRP: $439|Avg: $220
100%
#373
Core i7-12700E
MSRP: $314|Avg: $278
100%
#374
Core i3-14100T
MSRP: $134|Avg: $135
100%
#375
Core i5-5575R
MSRP: $265|Avg: $50
99%
#376
Core i5-8600K
MSRP: $257|Avg: $100
99%
#377
Core i5-13400T
MSRP: $221|Avg: $200
99%
#378
Athlon II X2 215
MSRP: $45|Avg: $10
99%
#379
Core 2 Duo E4700
MSRP: $133|Avg: $10
99%
#380
Core i3-530
MSRP: $113|Avg: $15
99%
#381
Pentium G3260
MSRP: $64|Avg: $21
99%
#382
Core i3-12300
MSRP: $143|Avg: $143
99%
#383
Core i7-4765T
MSRP: $303|Avg: $50
99%
#384
Core i7-860
MSRP: $284|Avg: $30
98%
#385
Athlon 64 X2 5200+
MSRP: $420|Avg: $15
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Athlon 64 X2 3600+ across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Deadlock

Deadlock

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Garry's Mod

Garry's Mod

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Hearts of Iron IV

Hearts of Iron IV

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Rocket League

Rocket League

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Starfield

Starfield

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

1080p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
1440p
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS
4k
low26 FPS
medium26 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra26 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Athlon 64 X2 3600+ specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ is a 2-core / 2-thread processor based on the Manchester (2005−2006) architecture, manufactured on a 90 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 2 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 0 kB of L3 cache, plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 128 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 1,020, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationAthlon 64 X2 3600+
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units2C / 2T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost2 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designManchester (2005−2006)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient90 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores0 kB
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256 kB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache128 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor156 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities154 million
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score1,020
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ fits into the 939 socket and supports PCIe 1.1 with 0 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR1 memory at speeds up to DDR2-800 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 16 GB across 2 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth).

SpecificationAthlon 64 X2 3600+
TypeDesktop or Laptop processordesktop
SocketMotherboard socket required939
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 1.1
PCIe LanesTotal available lanes for GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR1
Max RAM SpeedMaximum officially supported memory frequencyDDR2-800
Max RAM CapacityMaximum installable memory16 GB
RAM ChannelsDual-channel doubles bandwidth vs single-channel2
ECC SupportError-Correcting Code memory — prevents data corruptionNo
Integrated GPUBuilt-in graphics processorNo
Compatible ChipsetsMotherboard chipsets that support this CPUAMD AM2
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers1
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Athlon 64 X2 3600+ has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 89 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationAthlon 64 X2 3600+
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload89 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $10 (MSRP: $150), the Athlon 64 X2 3600+ delivers 102 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #3308 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationAthlon 64 X2 3600+
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price$150
Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days$10
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$149
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#3308
Release DateLaunch date2009-01-01
Release Year2005
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)AMD

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

6 specs

Typedesktop
DesignerAMD
Launch Price$149
Release Date2009-01-01
Architecture CodenameManchester (2005−2006)
Performance Ranking Position3308

Technical Specifications

11 specs

Cores2
Threads2
Die Size156 mm2
L1 Cache128 kB (per core)
L2 Cache256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache0 kB
Max Frequency2 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Transistor Count154 million
Process Technology90 nm
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

4 specs

Socket939
PCIe GenerationPCIe 1.1
Power Consumption (TDP)89 Watt
Max Processors In Config1

Memory

1 spec

RAM TypesDDR1

Our Recommendation for Athlon 64 X2 3600+

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