Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 3700X

AMD

Athlon 240GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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.

Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 240GE

2018

Why buy it

  • Costs $254 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 3, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Ryzen 7 3700X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (4,561 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 60.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +180.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Delivers 12.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
  • 200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 338.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$75 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Athlon 240GE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon 240GE.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Athlon 240GE?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 180.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 391.8% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 180.3% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 391.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 338.7% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 180.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 12.1% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 60.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 700% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon 240GE

The Athlon 240GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,561 points. Launch price was $75.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Athlon 240GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Athlon 240GE versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon 240GE uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 240GE scores 4,561 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 132.4% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 240GE vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
4.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
32 MB+700%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
4,561
22,430+392%
Geekbench 6 Single
930
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,200
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Athlon 240GE versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon 240GE) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B450 (Athlon 240GE) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 3700X
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
8
24+200%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon 240GE) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Athlon 240GE includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 3), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 240GE targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon 240GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400.

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 3
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 240GE was priced at $75, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($75 vs $329), Athlon 240GE was $254 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 240GE delivers 60.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 11.4% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$75-77%
$329
Performance per Dollar
60.8
68.2+12%
Release Date
2018
2019

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