Athlon X4 750K vs Core i7-3520M
Athlon X4 750K
Core i7-3520M
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 750K is positioned at rank 576 and the Core i7-3520M is on rank 1127, so the Athlon X4 750K 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 750K
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3520M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 750K | Core i7-3520M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($17) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 750K | Core i7-3520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1962%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($17) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) |
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 750K and Core i7-3520M
Athlon X4 750K
The Athlon X4 750K 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,879 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-3520M
The Core i7-3520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.
Processing Power
The Athlon X4 750K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-3520M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 750K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Athlon X4 750K versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 750K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Athlon X4 750K uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3520M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 750K scores 2,879 against the Core i7-3520M's 2,842 — a 1.3% lead for the Athlon X4 750K.
| Feature | Athlon X4 750K | Core i7-3520M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+11% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+17% | 2.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+1500% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Trinity (2012−2013) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,879+1% | 2,842 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X4 750K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 750K versus 1600 on the Core i7-3520M — the Core i7-3520M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 750K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 — 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 750K) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3520M).
| Feature | Athlon X4 750K | Core i7-3520M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | 1600+53233% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+209715100% | 32 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 750K) / true (Core i7-3520M). The Core i7-3520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon X4 750K requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.
| Feature | Athlon X4 750K | Core i7-3520M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X4 750K launched at $91 MSRP, while the Core i7-3520M debuted at $346.
| Feature | Athlon X4 750K | Core i7-3520M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $91-74% | $346 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $17 | — |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Athlon X4 750K and Core i7-3520M
