Athlon X4 840 vs Core i3-4130

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 840

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2014

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Core i3-4130

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2013

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Athlon X4 840 vs Core i3-4130 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 840

4 / 4

3,331

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4130

2 / 4

3,334

+0.1%

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 840 vs Core i3-4130 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 840 vs Core i3-4130: 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 840

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($102 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 28.5 PassMark/$ ($102 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,331 vs 3,334).
❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4130 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130.

Core i3-4130

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Athlon X4 840 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon X4 840.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 840 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 28.5 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $102 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 840 better than Core i3-4130?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 840 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4130 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4130 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 840 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 840 comes in $15 cheaper on MSRP at $102 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-4130 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 14.6% better value on MSRP (32.7 vs 28.5 PassMark/$), 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 840 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 840 vs Core i3-4130 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 840

The Athlon X4 840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,331 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-4130

The Core i3-4130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,334 points. Launch price was $120.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 840 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4130 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 840 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 840 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-4130 — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 840 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Athlon X4 840 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-4130 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 840 scores 3,331 against the Core i3-4130's 3,334 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-4130.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i3-4130
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.4 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,331	3,334
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,036
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,046

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 840 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4130 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 840 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4130 — the Athlon X4 840 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 840 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 840) and H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4130).

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i3-4130
Socket	FM2+	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 840) / VT-x (Core i3-4130). The Core i3-4130 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Athlon X4 840 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130 rivals FX-4130.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i3-4130
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Budget

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 840 was priced at $102, while the Core i3-4130 came in at $117. On launch pricing ($102 vs $117), Athlon X4 840 was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 840 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 28.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-4130 — making the Athlon X4 840 the 13.6% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Core i3-4130
MSRP	$102-13%	$117
Performance per Dollar	32.7+15%	28.5
Release Date	2014	2013

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