Athlon X4 840 vs Xeon W5590

Athlon X4 840 vs Xeon W5590 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 840

4 / 4

3,331

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon W5590

4 / 8

3,342

+0.3%

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 Xeon W5590 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 Xeon W5590: 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 $100 less on MSRP ($102 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).
✅Delivers 97.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 16.5 PassMark/$ ($102 MSRP vs $202 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W5590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,331 vs 3,342).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W5590, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon W5590

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.5 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($202 MSRP vs $102 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W5590 better than Athlon X4 840?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W5590 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Athlon X4 840 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W5590 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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, Xeon W5590 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon W5590 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon W5590 comes in 98.0% more expensive on MSRP at $202 MSRP versus $102 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon X4 840 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 97.4% better value on paper (32.7 vs 16.5 PassMark/$), 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?

Athlon X4 840 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 840 vs Xeon W5590 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.

Xeon W5590

The Xeon W5590 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 3,342 points. Launch price was $270.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 840 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon W5590's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 840 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W5590 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 840 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Athlon X4 840 uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Xeon W5590 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 840 scores 3,331 against the Xeon W5590's 3,342 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W5590.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Xeon W5590
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.33 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,331	3,342

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 840 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W5590 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Xeon W5590
Socket	FM2+	LGA1366
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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 840 was priced at $102, while the Xeon W5590 came in at $202. On launch pricing ($102 vs $202), Athlon X4 840 was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 840 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 16.5 pts/$ for the Xeon W5590 — making the Athlon X4 840 the 65.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 840	Xeon W5590
MSRP	$102-50%	$202
Performance per Dollar	32.7+98%	16.5
Release Date	2014	2009

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