Athlon II X4 740
AMD
PassMark
2,677
MSRP
$71
AVG Price
$20
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.
Overview
The Athlon II X4 740 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Piledriver architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,677 points. Launch price was $71.
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 740
FPS Benchmarks
Predicted performance for Athlon II X4 740 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.
Among Us
Counter-Strike 2
Dead by Daylight
Deadlock
Destiny 2
Dota 2
Final Fantasy XIV
Garry's Mod
Honkai: Star Rail
League of Legends
Technical Analysis
Detailed breakdown of Athlon II X4 740 specifications and capabilities.
Processing Power
The Athlon II X4 740 is a 4-core / 4-thread processor based on the Piledriver architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.7 GHz from a base frequency of 3.2 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 2,677, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.
| Specification | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|
| Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units | 4C / 4T |
| Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost | 3.7 GHz |
| Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency | 3.2 GHz |
| ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture design | Piledriver |
| Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient | 32 nm |
| L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data | 4 MB |
| L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache | 192 kB |
| 64-bit Support | Yes |
| Windows 11 Compatible | No |
| PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score | 2,677 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 740 fits into the FM2 socket and supports PCIe 2.0 with 16 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage.
| Specification | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|
| TypeDesktop or Laptop processor | desktop |
| SeriesProduct family | Athlon |
| SocketMotherboard socket required | FM2 |
| PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidth | PCIe 2.0 |
| PCIe LanesTotal available lanes for GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion | 16 |
| Max RAM SpeedMaximum officially supported memory frequency | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM CapacityMaximum installable memory | 64 GB |
| RAM ChannelsDual-channel doubles bandwidth vs single-channel | 2 |
| ECC SupportError-Correcting Code memory — prevents data corruption | No |
| Integrated GPUBuilt-in graphics processor | No |
| Compatible ChipsetsMotherboard chipsets that support this CPU | AMD FM2 |
| Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers | 1 |
Power & Cooling
The Athlon II X4 740 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65 watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.
| Specification | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|
| TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload | 65 watt |
Value Analysis
At an average price of $20 (MSRP: $71), the Athlon II X4 740 delivers 134 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #2336 out of all indexed processors.
| Specification | Athlon II X4 740 |
|---|---|
| MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price | $71 |
| Avg Price (30d)Average market price over the last 30 days | $20 |
| Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch | $71 |
| Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking | #2336 |
| Release DateLaunch date | 1 October 2012 (13 years ago) |
| Release Year | 2012 |
| DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD) | AMD |
Specifications Reference
Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.
3 categories
General Information
7 specs
General Information
7 specs
| Type | desktop |
| Series | Athlon |
| Designer | AMD |
| Launch Price | $71 |
| Release Date | 1 October 2012 (13 years ago) |
| Architecture Codename | Piledriver |
| Performance Ranking Position | 2336 |
Technical Specifications
9 specs
Technical Specifications
9 specs
| Cores | 4 |
| Threads | 4 |
| L1 Cache | 192 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB |
| Max Frequency | 3.7 GHz |
| 64-Bit Support | + |
| Base Frequency | 3.2 GHz |
| Process Technology | 32 nm |
| Windows 11 Compatible | - |
Compatibility
4 specs
Compatibility
4 specs
| Socket | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 |
| Power Consumption (TDP) | 65 watt |
| Max Processors In Config | 1 |
Similar Performance
Processors with benchmark scores closest to the current hardware, grouped by manufacturer.
Intel (8)
AMD (8)
Our Recommendation for Athlon II X4 740
Suggested pairings based on performance balance
Minimum (Avoid Bottleneck) (12)
Recommended (Balanced) (12)
High-End (Max Performance) (12)
Popular Comparisons
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Compare Athlon II X4 740
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