Athlon X4 740 vs Core i5-680

Athlon X4 740 vs Core i5-680 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 740

4 / 4

2,646

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i5-680

2 / 4

2,620

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 740 vs Core i5-680 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 i5-680: 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: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $223 less on MSRP ($71 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 318.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.3 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($71 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 73W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-680 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-680

2010

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, 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 (2,620 vs 2,646).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 37.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $71 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 740 better than Core i5-680?

Yes. Athlon X4 740 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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, Athlon X4 740 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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, Athlon X4 740 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 740 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 740 comes in $223 cheaper on MSRP at $71 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 318.2% better value on MSRP (37.3 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), 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 740 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 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 740 vs Core i5-680 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 i5-680

The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon X4 740 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-680 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 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon X4 740 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-680 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 740 scores 2,646 against the Core i5-680's 2,620 — a 1% lead for the Athlon X4 740.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-680
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.86 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,646	2,620

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 740 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-680 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 740 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-680 — the Athlon X4 740 supports 40% 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 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-680
Socket	FM2	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 740) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-680). The Core i5-680 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Athlon X4 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X4 740 targets Desktop, Core i5-680 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-680
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 740 was priced at $71, while the Core i5-680 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($71 vs $294), Athlon X4 740 was $223 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 740 delivers 37.3 pts/$ vs 8.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-680 — making the Athlon X4 740 the 122.8% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 740	Core i5-680
MSRP	$71-76%	$294
Performance per Dollar	37.3+319%	8.9
Release Date	2012	2010

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