Athlon X2 340 vs Pentium Dual Core T4500

AMD

Athlon X2 340

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2012
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Pentium Dual Core T4500

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······

Athlon X2 340 vs Pentium Dual Core T4500 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 X2 340 vs Pentium Dual Core T4500 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 Pentium Dual Core T4500: 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

  • Costs $120 less on MSRP ($30 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • Delivers 398.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($30 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (AMD Stock), unlike Pentium Dual Core T4500.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,333 vs 1,336).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Pentium Dual Core T4500

2010

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 44.4 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $30 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 340.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X2 340 better than Pentium Dual Core T4500?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X2 340 is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T4500 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T4500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, 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 $120 cheaper on MSRP at $30 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Dual Core T4500 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 398.9% better value on MSRP (44.4 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon X2 340 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X2 340 vs Pentium Dual Core T4500 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Pentium Dual Core T4500

The Pentium Dual Core T4500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,336 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Athlon X2 340 and Pentium Dual Core T4500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Athlon X2 340 versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T4500 — a 44.1% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 340 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Athlon X2 340 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T4500 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 340 scores 1,333 against the Pentium Dual Core T4500's 1,336 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T4500.

FeatureAthlon X2 340Pentium Dual Core T4500
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz+57%
2.3 GHz
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+39%
2.3 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB (total)
1 MB
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Trinity (2012−2013)
NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark
1,333
1,336
Geekbench 6 Single
397
Geekbench 6 Multi
549
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 340 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual Core T4500 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Athlon X2 340 versus DDR3-800 on the Pentium Dual Core T4500 — the Athlon X2 340 supports 100% 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 0 (Pentium Dual Core T4500) — the Athlon X2 340 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureAthlon X2 340Pentium Dual Core T4500
Socket
FM2
P
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600+100%
DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+300%
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X2 340) vs No VT-x (Pentium Dual Core T4500). Primary use case: Athlon X2 340 targets Desktop, Pentium Dual Core T4500 targets Mobile.

FeatureAthlon X2 340Pentium Dual Core T4500
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
No VT-x
Target Use
Desktop
Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X2 340 was priced at $30, while the Pentium Dual Core T4500 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($30 vs $150), Athlon X2 340 was $120 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 340 delivers 44.4 pts/$ vs 8.9 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual Core T4500 — making the Athlon X2 340 the 133.2% better value option.

FeatureAthlon X2 340Pentium Dual Core T4500
MSRP
$30-80%
$150
Performance per Dollar
44.4+399%
8.9
Release Date
2012
2010

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.