Athlon X4 730 vs Core i7-940XM
Athlon X4 730
Core i7-940XM
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon X4 730 is positioned at rank 519 and the Core i7-940XM is on rank 1237, so the Athlon X4 730 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 730
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940XM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 730 | Core i7-940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($52) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 730 | Core i7-940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2016%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($52) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon X4 730 and Core i7-940XM
Athlon X4 730
The Athlon X4 730 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) 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.
Core i7-940XM
The Core i7-940XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.
Processing Power
The Athlon X4 730 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-940XM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon X4 730 versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i7-940XM (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Athlon X4 730 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-940XM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 730 scores 2,278 against the Core i7-940XM's 2,269 — a 0.4% lead for the Athlon X4 730.
| Feature | Athlon X4 730 | Core i7-940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.33 GHz+4% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+31% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+1500% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Trinity (2012−2013) | Clarksfield (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 2,278 | 2,269 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X4 730 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-940XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 730 versus 1333 on the Core i7-940XM — the Core i7-940XM supports 199.1% 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 — 155.6% 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 PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-940XM).
| Feature | Athlon X4 730 | Core i7-940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+838860700% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 730) / true (Core i7-940XM). Direct competitor: Core i7-940XM rivals Core i7-2720QM.
| Feature | Athlon X4 730 | Core i7-940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 730 launched at $60 MSRP, while the Core i7-940XM debuted at $1096.
| Feature | Athlon X4 730 | Core i7-940XM |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-95% | $1096 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $52 | — |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2010 |
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