Athlon X4 870K vs Ryzen 7 3700X

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 870K vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 870K vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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 870K

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $239 less on MSRP ($90 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,443 vs 22,430).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 38.3 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +215.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Delivers 78.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 38.3 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
265.6% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$90 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Athlon X4 870K?

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 215.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 551.5% 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 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 215.9% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 551.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in 265.6% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $90 MSRP, and it still gives you a 215.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 78.2% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 38.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015) 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 870K vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 870K

The Athlon X4 870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,443 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Athlon X4 870K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon X4 870K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 870K scores 3,443 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 146.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	32 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB	512K (per core)+12700%
Process	28 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-75%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	3,443	22,430+551%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 870K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 870K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X 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: 16 (Athlon X4 870K) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 870K) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Ryzen 7 3700X
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	16	24+50%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 870K was priced at $90, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($90 vs $329), Athlon X4 870K was $239 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 870K delivers 38.3 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 56.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$90-73%	$329
Performance per Dollar	38.3	68.2+78%
Release Date	2015	2019

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