Core i7-940XM vs Athlon X4 730
Core i7-940XM
Athlon X4 730
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-940XM is positioned at rank 1237 and the Athlon X4 730 is on rank 519, so the Athlon X4 730 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940XM
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 730
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-940XM | Athlon X4 730 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096) | ✅ More affordable ($52) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Trinity (2012−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-940XM | Athlon X4 730 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2016%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096) | ✅ More affordable ($52) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-940XM and Athlon X4 730
Core i7-940XM
The Core i7-940XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.
Athlon X4 730
The Athlon X4 730 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,278 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-940XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Athlon X4 730's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM versus 3.2 GHz on the Athlon X4 730 — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i7-940XM (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-940XM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon X4 730 uses Trinity (2012−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-940XM scores 2,269 against the Athlon X4 730's 2,278 — a 0.4% lead for the Athlon X4 730.
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon X4 730 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.33 GHz+4% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 2.8 GHz+31% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4 MB (total)+1500% |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Clarksfield (2009−2010) | Trinity (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,269 | 2,278 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-940XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon X4 730 uses FM2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-940XM versus DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 730 — the Core i7-940XM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 730 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-940XM) and AMD FM2 (Athlon X4 730).
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon X4 730 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 64 GB+838860700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-940XM) / not specified (Athlon X4 730). Direct competitor: Core i7-940XM rivals Core i7-2720QM.
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon X4 730 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-940XM launched at $1096 MSRP, while the Athlon X4 730 debuted at $60.
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon X4 730 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1096 | $60-95% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $52 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2012 |
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