Athlon X4 840 vs FX-4150

Athlon X4 840 vs FX-4150 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 840

4 / 4

3,331

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

FX-4150

4 / 4

3,327

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 FX-4150 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 FX-4150: 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: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($102 MSRP vs $137 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 24.3 PassMark/$ ($102 MSRP vs $137 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

FX-4150

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 840 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,327 vs 3,331).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.3 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($137 MSRP vs $102 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 840 better than FX-4150?

Yes. Athlon X4 840 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Athlon X4 840 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 840 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 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 $35 cheaper on MSRP at $102 MSRP versus $137 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 34.5% better value on MSRP (32.7 vs 24.3 PassMark/$), 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 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 FX-4150 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.

FX-4150

The FX-4150 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,327 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon X4 840 and FX-4150 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 840 versus 4 GHz on the FX-4150 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the FX-4150 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Athlon X4 840 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the FX-4150 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 840 scores 3,331 against the FX-4150's 3,327 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon X4 840.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	FX-4150
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,331	3,327

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 840 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4150 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	FX-4150
Socket	FM2+	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 840 was priced at $102, while the FX-4150 came in at $137. On launch pricing ($102 vs $137), Athlon X4 840 was $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 840 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 24.3 pts/$ for the FX-4150 — making the Athlon X4 840 the 29.4% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	FX-4150
MSRP	$102-26%	$137
Performance per Dollar	32.7+35%	24.3
Release Date	2014	2012

Search Athlon X4 840 on Amazon

Search FX-4150 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.