A4-7210 vs Athlon 64 FX-74

AMD

A4-7210

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2015
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Athlon 64 FX-74

2 Cores2 Thrd125 WWMax: 3 GHz2006
Similar parts
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A4-7210 vs Athlon 64 FX-74 Performance Spectrum

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.

A4-7210 vs Athlon 64 FX-74 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.

A4-7210 vs Athlon 64 FX-74: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A4-7210

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 2W instead of 125W, a 123W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R3, while Athlon 64 FX-74 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (208 vs 400).

Athlon 64 FX-74

2006

Why buy it

  • +92.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,658 vs 1,670).
  • Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while A4-7210 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 6150% higher power demand at 125W vs 2W.
  • No integrated graphics, while A4-7210 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-7210 better than Athlon 64 FX-74?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon 64 FX-74 is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, A4-7210 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-7210 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
A4-7210 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A4-7210 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Athlon 64 FX-74 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on F.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
A4-7210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-7210 vs Athlon 64 FX-74 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

A4-7210

The A4-7210 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo-L (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $50.

AMD

Athlon 64 FX-74

The Athlon 64 FX-74 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Novembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $500.

Processing Power

The A4-7210 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon 64 FX-74 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A4-7210 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the A4-7210 versus 3 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-74 — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-74. The A4-7210 uses the Carrizo-L (2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the A4-7210 scores 1,670 against the Athlon 64 FX-74's 1,658 — a 0.7% lead for the A4-7210. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 208 vs 400, a 63.2% lead for the Athlon 64 FX-74 that directly translates to higher frame rates.

FeatureA4-7210Athlon 64 FX-74
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz
3 GHz+36%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
2048 kB+100%
1 MB
Process
28 nm-69%
90 nm
Architecture
Carrizo-L (2015)
Windsor (2006−2007)
PassMark
1,670
1,658
Geekbench 6 Single
208
400+92%
Geekbench 6 Multi
750
🧠

Memory & Platform

The A4-7210 uses the FT3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 uses F (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the A4-7210 versus DDR2 on the Athlon 64 FX-74 — the A4-7210 supports 79900% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 1 (A4-7210) vs 2 (Athlon 64 FX-74). PCIe lanes: 8 (A4-7210) vs 16 (Athlon 64 FX-74) — the Athlon 64 FX-74 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureA4-7210Athlon 64 FX-74
Socket
FT3
F
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3L-1600+79900%
DDR2
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
16 GB
RAM Channels
1
2+100%
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
16+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon 64 FX-74 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The A4-7210 includes integrated graphics (Radeon R3), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-7210 targets Entry Laptop, Athlon 64 FX-74 targets Budget. Direct competitor: A4-7210 rivals Pentium N3710; Athlon 64 FX-74 rivals Pentium Extreme Edition 965.

FeatureA4-7210Athlon 64 FX-74
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon R3
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Entry Laptop
Budget