Athlon X4 760K vs Core i7-930

Athlon X4 760K vs Core i7-930 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 760K

4 / 4

2,982

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i7-930

4 / 8

2,993

+0.4%

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 760K vs Core i7-930 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 760K vs Core i7-930: 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 760K

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $194 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 192.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.8 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 100W instead of 130W, a 30W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-930.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,982 vs 2,993).

Core i7-930

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅125% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌30% higher power demand at 130W vs 100W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon X4 760K.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 760K better than Core i7-930?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 760K is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-930 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, Core i7-930 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Athlon X4 760K is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 760K comes in $194 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-930 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 192.9% better value on MSRP (29.8 vs 10.2 PassMark/$), 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 760K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 760K vs Core i7-930 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 760K

The Athlon X4 760K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,982 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-930

The Core i7-930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,993 points. Launch price was $80.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 760K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-930's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Athlon X4 760K versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 — a 29.1% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 760K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Athlon X4 760K uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-930 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 760K scores 2,982 against the Core i7-930's 2,993 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-930.

Feature	Athlon X4 760K	Core i7-930
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+34%	3.06 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,982	2,993
Geekbench 6 Single	495	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,404	—

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 760K uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-930 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 760K versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-930 — the Athlon X4 760K supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 760K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 24 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon X4 760K) vs 3 (Core i7-930). PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon X4 760K) vs 36 (Core i7-930) — the Core i7-930 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Athlon X4 760K	Core i7-930
Socket	FM2	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+75%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+33%	24 GB
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	36+125%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon X4 760K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon X4 760K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-930). Primary use case: Athlon X4 760K targets Budget, Core i7-930 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon X4 760K	Core i7-930
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 760K was priced at $100, while the Core i7-930 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($100 vs $294), Athlon X4 760K was $194 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 760K delivers 29.8 pts/$ vs 10.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-930 — making the Athlon X4 760K the 98.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 760K	Core i7-930
MSRP	$100-66%	$294
Performance per Dollar	29.8+192%	10.2
Release Date	2013	2010

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