Athlon 64 4000+ vs Pentium D 915

AMD

Athlon 64 4000+

1 Cores1 Thrd89 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2001
VS
Intel

Pentium D 915

2 Cores2 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2006
Similar parts
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Athlon 64 4000+ vs Pentium D 915 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 64 4000+ vs Pentium D 915 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 64 4000+ vs Pentium D 915: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 64 4000+

2001

Why buy it

  • Draws 89W instead of 95W, a 6W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium D 915 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (675 vs 705).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.4 vs 9.5 PassMark/$ ($482 MSRP vs $74 MSRP).

Pentium D 915

2006

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $408 less on MSRP ($74 MSRP vs $482 MSRP).
  • Delivers 580.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.5 vs 1.4 PassMark/$ ($74 MSRP vs $482 MSRP).

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D 915 better than Athlon 64 4000+?
Yes. Pentium D 915 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4.4% 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, Pentium D 915 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.7% 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, Pentium D 915 is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium D 915 is the better buy right now. Pentium D 915 comes in $408 cheaper on MSRP at $74 MSRP versus $482 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 580.3% better value on MSRP (9.5 vs 1.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium D 915 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2006 vs 2001) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon 64 4000+ vs Pentium D 915 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon 64 4000+

The Athlon 64 4000+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Janeiro 2001 (24 years ago). It is based on the San Diego (2001−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 675 points. Launch price was $160.

Intel

Pentium D 915

The Pentium D 915 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $74.

Processing Power

The Athlon 64 4000+ packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Pentium D 915 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium D 915 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon 64 4000+ versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 915 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Pentium D 915. The Athlon 64 4000+ uses the San Diego (2001−2005) architecture (130 nm), while the Pentium D 915 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 4000+ scores 675 against the Pentium D 915's 705 — a 4.3% lead for the Pentium D 915. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Pentium D 915
Cores / Threads
1 / 1
2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
2.8 GHz+8%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512K+25500%
2 MB (total)
Process
130 nm
65 nm-50%
Architecture
San Diego (2001−2005)
NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark
675
705+4%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 4000+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium D 915 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Pentium D 915
Socket
939
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 4000+ was priced at $482, while the Pentium D 915 came in at $74. On launch pricing ($482 vs $74), Pentium D 915 was $408 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 4000+ delivers 1.4 pts/$ vs 9.5 pts/$ for the Pentium D 915 — making the Pentium D 915 the 148.7% better value option.

FeatureAthlon 64 4000+Pentium D 915
MSRP
$482
$74-85%
Performance per Dollar
1.4
9.5+579%
Release Date
2001
2006

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