Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 vs Pentium T3400

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 vs Pentium T3400 Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

2 / 2

775

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium T3400

845

+9.0%

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 X2 TK-42 vs Pentium T3400 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 X2 TK-42 vs Pentium T3400: 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 X2 TK-42

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 129.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.9 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium T3400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (775 vs 845).

Pentium T3400

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 12.9 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
❌3400% higher power demand at 35W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium T3400 better than Athlon 64 X2 TK-42?

Yes. Pentium T3400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium T3400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.4% 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 T3400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9% better PassMark.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium T3400 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium T3400 comes in 150.0% more expensive on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 129.3% better value on paper (12.9 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on S1.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 vs Pentium T3400 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Tyler (2007−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 775 points. Launch price was $149.

Pentium T3400

The Pentium T3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Base frequency: 2.16 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 845 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 is built on the Tyler (2007−2009) architecture. In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 scores 775 against the Pentium T3400's 845 — a 8.6% lead for the Pentium T3400.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 TK-42	Pentium T3400
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	—
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	—
Base Clock	—	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	—	1 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	—
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	Tyler (2007−2009)	—
PassMark	775	845+9%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium T3400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 TK-42	Pentium T3400
Socket	S1	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 was priced at $60, while the Pentium T3400 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($60 vs $150), Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 delivers 12.9 pts/$ vs 5.6 pts/$ for the Pentium T3400 — making the Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 the 78.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 TK-42	Pentium T3400
MSRP	$60-60%	$150
Performance per Dollar	12.9+130%	5.6
Release Date	2009	2008

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