Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

AMD

Athlon 240GE

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D 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 7800X3D: 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 $374 less on MSRP ($75 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 120W, a 85W reduction.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,200 vs 15,000).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 60.8 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($75 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +213.9% higher average FPS across 37 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 25.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $75 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 250% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 498.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$75 MSRP
  • 242.9% higher power demand at 120W vs 35W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon 240GE.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Athlon 240GE?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 213.9% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data, 581.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 651.9% higher 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 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 213.9% more average FPS across 37 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 4 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 581.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 2300% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 498.7% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $75 MSRP, and it still gives you a 213.9% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.6% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 60.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Athlon 240GE can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of AM4, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 4 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Athlon 240GE vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Athlon 240GE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Athlon 240GE versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 3.5 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Athlon 240GE uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 240GE scores 4,561 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 153% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 930 vs 2,700, a 97.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,200 vs 15,000 (148.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon 240GE vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz
5 GHz+43%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
4.4 GHz+26%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
96 MB (total)+2300%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+51100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm-64%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
4,561
34,293+652%
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
930
2,700+190%
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,200
15,000+582%
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Memory & Platform

The Athlon 240GE uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Athlon 240GE versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B450 (Athlon 240GE) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
AM4
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR5-5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
8
28+250%
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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support AMD-V virtualization. Both include integrated graphics Radeon Vega 3 (Athlon 240GE) and AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 240GE targets Budget Desktop, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Athlon 240GE rivals Pentium Gold G5400; Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 3
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Budget Desktop
Gaming
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 240GE was priced at $75, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($75 vs $449), Athlon 240GE was $374 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 240GE delivers 60.8 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 22.7% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 240GERyzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$75-83%
$449
Performance per Dollar
60.8
76.4+26%
Release Date
2018
2023

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