Athlon X4 730 vs Core i7-940XM

Athlon X4 730 vs Core i7-940XM Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 730

4 / 4

2,278

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-940XM

4 / 8

2,269

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 X4 730 vs Core i7-940XM 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 i7-940XM: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,036 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $1,096 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1733.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.0 vs 2.1 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $1,096 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.

Core i7-940XM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,269 vs 2,278).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.1 vs 38.0 PassMark/$ ($1,096 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 730 better than Core i7-940XM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-940XM is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 730 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 730 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 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 $1,036 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $1,096 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-940XM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1733.9% better value on MSRP (38.0 vs 2.1 PassMark/$), 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 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 730 vs Core i7-940XM Technical Specifications

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

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 Athlon X4 730 supports 40% 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 — 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 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+40%	1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+700%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
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

At launch, the Athlon X4 730 was priced at $60, while the Core i7-940XM came in at $1096. On launch pricing ($60 vs $1096), Athlon X4 730 was $1036 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 730 delivers 38.0 pts/$ vs 2.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-940XM — making the Athlon X4 730 the 179.3% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 730	Core i7-940XM
MSRP	$60-95%	$1096
Performance per Dollar	38.0+1710%	2.1
Release Date	2012	2010

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