A6-3430MX vs Pentium G840

AMD

A6-3430MX

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Pentium G840

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2011

A6-3430MX vs Pentium G840 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.

A6-3430MX vs Pentium G840 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.

A6-3430MX vs Pentium G840: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

A6-3430MX

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6520G, while Pentium G840 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G840

2011

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than A6-3430MX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (1,367 vs 1,389).
    • ❌Launch MSRP is still $64 MSRP, while A6-3430MX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • ❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
    • ❌No integrated graphics, while A6-3430MX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is A6-3430MX better than Pentium G840?
    Yes. A6-3430MX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, A6-3430MX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% 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, A6-3430MX is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    A6-3430MX is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6-3430MX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G840 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    A6-3430MX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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.

    A6-3430MX vs Pentium G840 Technical Specifications

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

    AMD

    A6-3430MX

    The A6-3430MX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011βˆ’2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 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: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,389 points. Launch price was $70.

    Intel

    Pentium G840

    The Pentium G840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,367 points. Launch price was $60.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    The A6-3430MX packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G840 offers 2 cores / 2 threads β€” the A6-3430MX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the A6-3430MX versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G840 β€” a 15.4% clock advantage for the Pentium G840 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The A6-3430MX uses the Llano (2011βˆ’2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G840 uses Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6-3430MX scores 1,389 against the Pentium G840's 1,367 β€” a 1.6% lead for the A6-3430MX. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A6-3430MX vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G840.

    FeatureA6-3430MXPentium G840
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 4+100%
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.4 GHz
    2.8 GHz+17%
    Base Clock
    1.7 GHz
    2.8 GHz+65%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    3 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (per core)+300%
    256 kB (per core)
    Process
    32 nm
    32 nm
    Architecture
    Llano (2011βˆ’2012)
    Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013)
    PassMark
    1,389+2%
    1,367
    Geekbench 6 Single
    254
    β€”
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The A6-3430MX uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G840 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureA6-3430MXPentium G840
    Socket
    FS1
    LGA1155
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 2.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1600
    β€”
    Max RAM Capacity
    8 GB
    β€”
    RAM Channels
    2
    β€”
    ECC Support
    No
    β€”
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    β€”
    πŸ”§

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: AMD-V (A6-3430MX) / not specified (Pentium G840). The A6-3430MX includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6520G), while the Pentium G840 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A6-3430MX targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: A6-3430MX rivals Core i3-2350M.

    FeatureA6-3430MXPentium G840
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    β€”
    IGPU Model
    Radeon HD 6520G
    β€”
    Unlocked
    No
    β€”
    AVX-512
    No
    β€”
    Virtualization
    AMD-V
    β€”
    Target Use
    Budget Laptop
    β€”