Athlon X4 840 vs Core i3-4370T

AMD

Athlon X4 840

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i3-4370T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Athlon X4 840 vs Core i3-4370T Performance Spectrum

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 i3-4370T 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 i3-4370T: 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

  • Costs $36 less on MSRP ($102 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • Delivers 34.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 24.4 PassMark/$ ($102 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (3,331 vs 3,361).
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4370T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-4370T

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Athlon X4 840 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.4 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $102 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4370T better than Athlon X4 840?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 840 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4370T pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4370T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-4370T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-4370T comes in 35.3% more expensive on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $102 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Athlon X4 840 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 34.1% better value on paper (32.7 vs 24.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on FM2+.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-4370T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 840 vs Core i3-4370T Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Core i3-4370T

The Core i3-4370T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,361 points. Launch price was $138.

Processing Power

The Athlon X4 840 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4370T 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 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-4370T — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 840 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Athlon X4 840 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-4370T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 840 scores 3,331 against the Core i3-4370T's 3,361 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-4370T.

FeatureAthlon X4 840Core i3-4370T
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+15%
3.3 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz
3.3 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
4 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
3,361
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 840 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4370T 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 i3-4370T — 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.

FeatureAthlon X4 840Core i3-4370T
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, VT-d (Core i3-4370T). The Core i3-4370T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Athlon X4 840 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4370T targets Desktop Low Power.

FeatureAthlon X4 840Core i3-4370T
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop Low Power
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 840 was priced at $102, while the Core i3-4370T came in at $138. On launch pricing ($102 vs $138), Athlon X4 840 was $36 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 840 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 24.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-4370T — making the Athlon X4 840 the 29.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon X4 840Core i3-4370T
MSRP
$102-26%
$138
Performance per Dollar
32.7+34%
24.4
Release Date
2014
2015

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