Athlon II X4 638 vs Core i7-13700K

Athlon II X4 638

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2012

Core i7-13700K

16 Cores24 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon II X4 638

4 / 4

2,260

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-13700K

16 / 24

45,784

+1925.8%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon II X4 638 is positioned at rank #1040 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 638

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

41396%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

39116%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

28401%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

8556%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

6777%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5929%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3396%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3351%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3052%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3051%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3017%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2936%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2895%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2883%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2857%

#1040

Athlon II X4 638

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

100%

#1041

Core 2 Duo E7200

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

100%

#1043

Phenom X3 8750

MSRP: $195|Avg: $20

98%

#1044

Pentium G4400TE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

97%

#1045

Celeron 2.60

MSRP: $53|Avg: $10

96%

#1046

Core i7-990X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $225

95%

#1047

Phenom X4 9750B

MSRP: $215|Avg: $34

94%

#1048

Core 2 Duo E8200

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1049

Core 2 Quad Q9450

MSRP: $316|Avg: $15

93%

#1050

Core 2 Duo E8600

MSRP: $200|Avg: $95

92%

#1051

Core 2 Duo E6320

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

91%

#1052

Core i7-980X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

91%

#1053

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $10

90%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

90%

#1055

Phenom X4 9600B

MSRP: $278|Avg: $20

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-13700K

#131

Core Ultra 5 245T

MSRP: $270|Avg: $270

105%

#132

Core i5-8500

MSRP: $192|Avg: $80

104%

#133

Core i5-9400F

MSRP: $182|Avg: $80

103%

#134

Core i5-11400

MSRP: $182|Avg: $141

103%

#135

Core i5-13600K

MSRP: $329|Avg: $319

103%

#136

Core i5-13500

MSRP: $242|Avg: $264

103%

#137

Ryzen 7 8700G

MSRP: $329|Avg: $269

103%

#138

Core i7-14700

MSRP: $384|Avg: $348

103%

#139

Ryzen 5 2500X

MSRP: $159|Avg: $80

103%

#140

Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

102%

#141

Core i9-13900K

MSRP: $599|Avg: $500

102%

#142

Core i3-14100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $131

101%

#143

Ryzen 5 3400G

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

100%

#144

Core i7-10700KF

MSRP: $405|Avg: $160

100%

#145

Core i5-11600K

MSRP: $262|Avg: $170

100%

#146

Core i7-13700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $400

100%

#147

Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

99%

#148

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $150

99%

#149

Core i9-12900KS

MSRP: $739|Avg: $385

99%

#150

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

MSRP: $185|Avg: $180

98%

#151

Core Ultra 7 265T

MSRP: $384|Avg: $362

98%

#152

Ryzen 3 3200GE

MSRP: $85|Avg: $64

98%

#153

Core i3-9100T

MSRP: $122|Avg: $50

98%

#154

Ryzen 5 4600G

MSRP: $154|Avg: $143

98%

#155

Core i7-13700T

MSRP: $384|Avg: $250

97%

#156

Ryzen 9 5900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $350

97%

#157

Core i7-13700F

MSRP: $359|Avg: $345

97%

#158

Core i5-13600T

MSRP: $255|Avg: $255

97%

#159

Ryzen 5 3400GE

MSRP: $149|Avg: $80

96%

#160

Core i7-12700F

MSRP: $314|Avg: $275

96%

#161

Core i5-9400

MSRP: $192|Avg: $85

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-13700K (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Athlon II X4 638	Core i7-13700K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($280)	⚠️ Higher cost ($400)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) / Intel 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Athlon II X4 638 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Athlon II X4 638	Core i7-13700K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1318%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($280)	⚠️ Higher cost ($400)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Athlon II X4 638 Benchmark Check

Core i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon II X4 638 and Core i7-13700K

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.

Core i7-13700K

The Core i7-13700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 638 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-13700K offers 16 cores / 24 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X4 638 versus 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Athlon II X4 638 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-13700K uses Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 638 scores 2,260 against the Core i7-13700K's 45,784 — a 181.2% lead for the Core i7-13700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 638 vs 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Core i7-13700K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	16 / 24+300%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	5.4 GHz+100%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.4 GHz+26%
L3 Cache	0 kB	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	Intel 7 nm-78%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
PassMark	2,260	45,784+1926%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	31,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,846
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	18,980

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 638 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-13700K uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 638 versus DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K — the Core i7-13700K supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-13700K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 638) vs 20 (Core i7-13700K) — the Core i7-13700K offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 638) and Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K).

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Core i7-13700K
Socket	FM1	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR5-5600+67%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	192 GB+200%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 638) / true (Core i7-13700K). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Athlon II X4 638 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X.

Feature	Athlon II X4 638	Core i7-13700K
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

The Athlon II X4 638 launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core i7-13700K debuted at $409. At current prices ($280 vs $400), the Athlon II X4 638 is $120 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 638 delivers 8.1 pts/$ vs 114.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-13700K — making the Core i7-13700K the 173.7% better value option.