Athlon X4 730 vs Core 2 Duo P7450

AMD

Athlon X4 730

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo P7450

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2009

Athlon X4 730 vs Core 2 Duo P7450 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 X4 730 vs Core 2 Duo P7450 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 X4 730 vs Core 2 Duo P7450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X4 730

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 14 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (2,278 vs 2,306).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $60 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo P7450 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌2066.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 3W.

Core 2 Duo P7450

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.2% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 730 across 14 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 730 better than Core 2 Duo P7450?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 730 is ahead with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 14 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P7450 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P7450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon X4 730 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 730 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $60 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.9% average FPS lead across 14 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo P7450 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (38.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon X4 730 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 730 vs Core 2 Duo P7450 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon X4 730

The Athlon X4 730 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,278 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core 2 Duo P7450

The Core 2 Duo P7450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,306 points. Launch price was $249.

⚑

Processing Power

The Athlon X4 730 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P7450 offers 2 cores / 2 threads β€” the Athlon X4 730 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon X4 730 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P7450 β€” a 40.2% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 730 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Athlon X4 730 uses the Trinity (2012βˆ’2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P7450 uses Penryn (2008βˆ’2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 730 scores 2,278 against the Core 2 Duo P7450's 2,306 β€” a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo P7450.

FeatureAthlon X4 730Core 2 Duo P7450
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz+50%
2.13 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+31%
2.13 GHz
L3 Cache
β€”
3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache
4 MB (total)+33%
3 MB
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Trinity (2012βˆ’2013)
Penryn (2008βˆ’2011)
PassMark
2,278
2,306+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
β€”
250
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
450
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 730 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo P7450 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 730 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo P7450 β€” the Athlon X4 730 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 730 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB β€” 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2 (Athlon X4 730) and PM45,GM45 (Core 2 Duo P7450).

FeatureAthlon X4 730Core 2 Duo P7450
Socket
FM2
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1866+75%
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+700%
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16
16
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 730) / Disabled (Core 2 Duo P7450). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo P7450 targets Laptop.

FeatureAthlon X4 730Core 2 Duo P7450
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
Disabled
Target Use
β€”
Laptop