Athlon X2 340 vs Celeron N2840

Athlon X2 340 vs Celeron N2840 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X2 340

2 / 2

1,333

+0.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Celeron N2840

2 / 2

1,331

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 X2 340 vs Celeron N2840 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 X2 340 vs Celeron N2840: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X2 340

2012

Why buy it

✅+72.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (AMD Stock), unlike Celeron N2840.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $30 MSRP, while Celeron N2840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌828.6% higher power demand at 65W vs 7W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N2840 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Celeron N2840

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 7W instead of 65W, a 58W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Athlon X2 340 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (230 vs 397).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (430 vs 549).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 340.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 340 better than Celeron N2840?

Yes. Athlon X2 340 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 27.7% better Geekbench multi-core, and 0.2% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon X2 340 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% 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, Athlon X2 340 is the stronger fit. You are getting 27.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon X2 340 is the better buy right now. Athlon X2 340 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $30 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (44.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N2840 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X2 340 vs Celeron N2840 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X2 340

The Athlon X2 340 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,333 points. Launch price was $149.

Celeron N2840

The Celeron N2840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.58 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,331 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon X2 340 and Celeron N2840 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Athlon X2 340 versus 2.58 GHz on the Celeron N2840 — a 33% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 340 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Athlon X2 340 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N2840 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 340 scores 1,333 against the Celeron N2840's 1,331 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon X2 340. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 397 vs 230, a 53.3% lead for the Athlon X2 340 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 549 vs 430 (24.3% advantage for the Athlon X2 340).

Feature	Athlon X2 340	Celeron N2840
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+40%	2.58 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+48%	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,333	1,331
Geekbench 6 Single	397+73%	230
Geekbench 6 Multi	549+28%	430

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 340 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N2840 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Athlon X2 340 versus DDR3L-1333 on the Celeron N2840 — the Athlon X2 340 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X2 340 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon X2 340) vs 4 (Celeron N2840) — the Athlon X2 340 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A55,A75,A85X,A88X (Athlon X2 340) and SoC (Celeron N2840).

Feature	Athlon X2 340	Celeron N2840
Socket	FM2	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3L-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X2 340) vs VT-x (Celeron N2840). The Celeron N2840 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Athlon X2 340 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X2 340 targets Desktop, Celeron N2840 targets Netbook. Direct competitor: Celeron N2840 rivals AMD A6-6310.