Athlon X4 740 vs Core i3-3250T

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 740

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

Similar parts

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Core i3-3250T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

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Athlon X4 740 vs Core i3-3250T Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 740

4 / 4

2,646

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-3250T

2 / 4

2,650

+0.2%

Celeron N2810

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 740 vs Core i3-3250T 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 740 vs Core i3-3250T: 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 740

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $67 less on MSRP ($71 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 94.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.3 vs 19.2 PassMark/$ ($71 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,646 vs 2,650).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3250T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-3250T

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2500, while Athlon X4 740 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 740 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 37.3 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $71 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3250T better than Athlon X4 740?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 740 is ahead with a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3250T 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, Core i3-3250T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-3250T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-3250T comes in 94.4% more expensive on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $71 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Athlon X4 740 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 94.1% better value on paper (37.3 vs 19.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on FM2.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-3250T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 740 vs Core i3-3250T Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 740

The Athlon X4 740 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 2,646 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-3250T

The Core i3-3250T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 740 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3250T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 740 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Athlon X4 740 versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3250T — a 20.9% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 740 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Athlon X4 740 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3250T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 740 scores 2,646 against the Core i3-3250T's 2,650 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-3250T.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i3-3250T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+23%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+7%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,646	2,650

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 740 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3250T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 740 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3250T — the Athlon X4 740 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 740 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2 (Athlon X4 740) and H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Core i3-3250T).

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i3-3250T
Socket	FM2	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon X4 740) / not specified (Core i3-3250T). The Core i3-3250T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Athlon X4 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X4 740 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i3-3250T
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 740 was priced at $71, while the Core i3-3250T came in at $138. On launch pricing ($71 vs $138), Athlon X4 740 was $67 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 740 delivers 37.3 pts/$ vs 19.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-3250T — making the Athlon X4 740 the 64% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i3-3250T
MSRP	$71-49%	$138
Performance per Dollar	37.3+94%	19.2
Release Date	2012	2013

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