Performance comparison: which is faster?
AMD Phenom II X2 560 (AMD, 2010) and AMD Athlon II X2 250 (AMD, 2010) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Phenom II X2 560 is about 40% faster
Both use the same AM3 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Phenom II X2 560 | Athlon II X2 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 2,800 | 2,000 |
| Generation | Phenom II | Athlon II |
| Socket | AM3 | AM3 |
| Release Year | 2010 | 2010 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 1030 | GeForce GTX 650 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Phenom II X2 560 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Either works (same AM3 socket) |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | Athlon II X2 250 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Phenom II X2 560 is about 40% higher by score (Phenom II X2 560: 2800 points / Athlon II X2 250: 2000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Phenom II X2 560 is Phenom II, while Athlon II X2 250 is Athlon II.Both use the same AM3 socket, so they can be installed on the same motherboard.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 1030 pairs well with Phenom II X2 560 and GeForce GTX 650 pairs well with Athlon II X2 250. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
