Athlon X4 740 vs Core i7-9700K
Athlon X4 740
Core i7-9700K
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. The Athlon X4 740 is positioned at rank #528 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 740
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 740 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($71) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 740 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+93%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($71) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($200) |
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 740 and Core i7-9700K
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 i7-9700K
The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.
Processing Power
The Athlon X4 740 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Athlon X4 740 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 27.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon X4 740 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 740 scores 2,646 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 137.9% lead for the Core i7-9700K.
| Feature | Athlon X4 740 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.9 GHz+32% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+12% |
| L3 Cache | — | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+1500% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Trinity (2012−2013) | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 2,646 | 14,397+444% |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X4 740 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 740 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9700K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% 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 Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).
| Feature | Athlon X4 740 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-9700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 740) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Athlon X4 740 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon X4 740 targets Desktop, Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.
| Feature | Athlon X4 740 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Desktop | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 740 launched at $71 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($71 vs $200), the Athlon X4 740 is $129 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 740 delivers 37.3 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core i7-9700K the 63.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X4 740 | Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $71-82% | $385 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $71-65% | $200 |
| Performance per Dollar | 37.3 | 72.0+93% |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2018 |
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