Athlon X2 450 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

AMD

Athlon X2 450

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Athlon X2 450 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 450 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 450 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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 450

2014

Why buy it

  • Costs $269 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Ryzen 7 3700X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,295 vs 22,430).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.6 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +680.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 215.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 21.6 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 448.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $329 MSRPvs$60 MSRP
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X2 450.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Athlon X2 450?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 680.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1632% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 680.6% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1632% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 448.3% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $60 MSRP, and it still gives you a 680.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 215.9% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 21.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X2 450 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon X2 450

The Athlon X2 450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,295 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Athlon X2 450 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X2 450 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 12% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon X2 450 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 450 scores 1,295 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 178.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureAthlon X2 450Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
8 / 16+300%
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
32 MB
L2 Cache
1 MB (total)
512K (per core)+51100%
Process
28 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture
Kaveri (2014−2015)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
1,295
22,430+1632%
Cinebench R23 Multi
1,500
Geekbench 6 Single
450
Geekbench 6 Multi
800
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X2 450 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X2 450 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 71.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon X2 450) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A88X,A78,A68H (Athlon X2 450) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureAthlon X2 450Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket
FM2+
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1866
DDR4-3200+71%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
128 GB+700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon X2 450) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). Primary use case: Athlon X2 450 targets Basic Desktop. Direct competitor: Athlon X2 450 rivals Core i3-3220.

FeatureAthlon X2 450Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Basic Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X2 450 was priced at $60, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($60 vs $329), Athlon X2 450 was $269 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 450 delivers 21.6 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 103.8% better value option.

FeatureAthlon X2 450Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$60-82%
$329
Performance per Dollar
21.6
68.2+216%
Release Date
2014
2019

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