A12-9720P vs Athlon X4 740

A12-9720P vs Athlon X4 740 Performance Spectrum

A12-9720P

4 / 4

2,622

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Athlon X4 740

4 / 4

2,646

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

A12-9720P vs Athlon X4 740 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A12-9720P vs Athlon X4 740: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A12-9720P

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R7, while Athlon X4 740 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,622 vs 2,646).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.1 vs 37.3 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $71 MSRP).

Athlon X4 740

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($71 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 184.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.3 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($71 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while A12-9720P can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 740 better than A12-9720P?

Yes. Athlon X4 740 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon X4 740 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 740 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Athlon X4 740 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 740 comes in $129 cheaper on MSRP at $71 MSRP versus $200 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 184.3% better value on MSRP (37.3 vs 13.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A12-9720P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

A12-9720P vs Athlon X4 740 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A12-9720P

The A12-9720P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,622 points. Launch price was $130.

Athlon X4 740

The Athlon X4 740 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,646 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the A12-9720P and Athlon X4 740 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the A12-9720P versus 3.7 GHz on the Athlon X4 740 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 740 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The A12-9720P uses the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon X4 740 uses Trinity (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A12-9720P scores 2,622 against the Athlon X4 740's 2,646 — a 0.9% lead for the Athlon X4 740.

Feature	A12-9720P	Athlon X4 740
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.2 GHz+19%
L2 Cache	2 MB	4 MB (total)+100%
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)	Trinity (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,622	2,646
Geekbench 6 Single	529	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A12-9720P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon X4 740 uses FM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-1866 memory speed. The Athlon X4 740 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (A12-9720P) vs 16 (Athlon X4 740) — the Athlon X4 740 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	A12-9720P	Athlon X4 740
Socket	FP4	FM2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	16+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A12-9720P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R7), while the Athlon X4 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A12-9720P targets Laptop, Athlon X4 740 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: A12-9720P rivals Core i5-7200U.

Feature	A12-9720P	Athlon X4 740
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R7	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	AMD-V
Target Use	Laptop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the A12-9720P was priced at $200, while the Athlon X4 740 came in at $71. On launch pricing ($200 vs $71), Athlon X4 740 was $129 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the A12-9720P delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 37.3 pts/$ for the Athlon X4 740 — making the Athlon X4 740 the 95.9% better value option.

Feature	A12-9720P	Athlon X4 740
MSRP	$200	$71-65%
Performance per Dollar	13.1	37.3+185%
Release Date	2016	2012

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