Athlon II X4 638 vs Celeron G3930

Athlon II X4 638 vs Celeron G3930 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 638

4 / 4

2,260

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron G3930

2 / 2

2,259

0.0%

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 II X4 638 vs Celeron G3930 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 II X4 638 vs Celeron G3930: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II X4 638

2012

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 53.8 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌27.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 51W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3930 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron G3930

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $258 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 614.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.8 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 65W, a 14W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 610, while Athlon II X4 638 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,259 vs 2,260).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3930 better than Athlon II X4 638?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron G3930 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 638 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X4 638 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron G3930 is the better buy right now. Celeron G3930 comes in $258 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Athlon II X4 638 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 614.0% better value on MSRP (53.8 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron G3930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 638 vs Celeron G3930 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 638

The Athlon II X4 638 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,260 points. Launch price was $149.

Celeron G3930

The Celeron G3930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 2133, DDR3L 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,259 points. Launch price was $42.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 638 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron G3930 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X4 638 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X4 638 versus 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G3930 — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Celeron G3930 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Athlon II X4 638 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron G3930 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 638 scores 2,260 against the Celeron G3930's 2,259 — a 0% lead for the Athlon II X4 638. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 638 vs 2 MB (total) on the Celeron G3930.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Celeron G3930
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	2.9 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.9 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,260	2,259
Geekbench 6 Single	—	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,100

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 638 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron G3930 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 638 versus DDR4-2400 on the Celeron G3930 — the Celeron G3930 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 638) and H110,B250,H270,Z270 (Celeron G3930).

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Celeron G3930
Socket	FM1	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR4-2400+29%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 638) / VT-x (Celeron G3930). The Celeron G3930 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Athlon II X4 638 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3930 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3930 rivals Pentium G4560.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Celeron G3930
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 610
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 638 was priced at $300, while the Celeron G3930 came in at $42. On launch pricing ($300 vs $42), Celeron G3930 was $258 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 638 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 53.8 pts/$ for the Celeron G3930 — making the Celeron G3930 the 150.9% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Celeron G3930
MSRP	$300	$42-86%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	53.8+617%
Release Date	2012	2017

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