Athlon X4 845 vs Ryzen 7 5800X

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 845 vs Ryzen 7 5800X 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 845 vs Ryzen 7 5800X: 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 845

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $379 less on MSRP ($70 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,768 vs 27,712).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 53.8 vs 61.7 PassMark/$ ($70 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5800X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +189.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 14.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.7 vs 53.8 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $70 MSRP).
✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
541.4% HIGHER MSRP
$449 MSRPvs$70 MSRP
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5800X better than Athlon X4 845?

Yes. Ryzen 7 5800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 189.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 635.5% 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, Ryzen 7 5800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 189.6% 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, Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 635.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 5800X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5800X comes in 541.4% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $70 MSRP, and it still gives you a 189.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 14.7% better value on MSRP (61.7 vs 53.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 7 5800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 845 vs Ryzen 7 5800X Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 845

The Athlon X4 845 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,768 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen 7 5800X

The Ryzen 7 5800X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 27,712 points. Launch price was $449.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 845 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5800X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Athlon X4 845 versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5800X — a 21.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5800X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Athlon X4 845 uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 845 scores 3,768 against the Ryzen 7 5800X's 27,712 — a 152.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 5800X.

Feature	Athlon X4 845	Ryzen 7 5800X
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.7 GHz+24%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	—	32 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Carrizo (2015−2018)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	3,768	27,712+635%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 845 uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5800X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 845 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5800X — the Ryzen 7 5800X supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 5800X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon X4 845) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5800X) — the Ryzen 7 5800X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 845) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 5800X).

Feature	Athlon X4 845	Ryzen 7 5800X
Socket	FM2+	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	DDR4-3200+50%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	8	24+200%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 845) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5800X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5800X targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon X4 845	Ryzen 7 5800X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 845 was priced at $70, while the Ryzen 7 5800X came in at $449. On launch pricing ($70 vs $449), Athlon X4 845 was $379 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 845 delivers 53.8 pts/$ vs 61.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5800X — making the Ryzen 7 5800X the 13.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 845	Ryzen 7 5800X
MSRP	$70-84%	$449
Performance per Dollar	53.8	61.7+15%
Release Date	2016	2020

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