AMD Athlon X4 840 vs Intel Core i3-4150T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4150T and AMD Athlon X4 840 occupy the exact same position in the benchmark database, with identical average scores of 975 and matching 26th-percentile rankings among all CPUs. Despite this statistical dead heat, their performance profiles diverge sharply across individual workloads, with the AMD part winning every head-to-head benchmark in the data set while the Intel chip counters with superior power efficiency and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Athlon X4 840 dominates the multi-core tests with consistent margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 285 against Intel's 244, a 14.4% advantage. That exact delta carries through Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD posts 1189 versus 1018, and Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD hits 2833 compared to 2425. The consistency of the 14.4% gap across three different Cinebench versions suggests a structural advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The AMD Athlon X4 840 leads Cinebench R20 single-core with 168 points against the Intel's 143, a 14.9% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD extends its lead slightly to 14.5%, scoring 400 versus 342. These single-threaded results are notable because Intel architectures traditionally hold the edge in lightly threaded tasks; here, the data shows AMD winning every single-core comparison.

The Intel Core i3-4150T does have benchmark results that the AMD chip lacks entirely. Geekbench multi-core gives Intel 1762 points, and Geekbench single-core gives it 892. The AMD Athlon X4 840 has no Geekbench entries in the fact pack, so no direct comparison exists for that test suite. Similarly, Cinebench R15 multi-core is the only test where both chips have scores that can be directly compared, and AMD wins that as well.

The head-to-head table records five wins for AMD and zero for Intel. That sweep is unusual given the identical average scores. The explanation lies in the fact that Intel's Geekbench results are not mirrored by AMD, so the averages pull from different test sets. The data shows AMD winning every overlapping test, while Intel's overall average is buoyed by Geekbench scores that have no AMD counterpart.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: Both the Intel Core i3-4150T and AMD Athlon X4 840 have identical average benchmark scores of 975, placing them at the same 26th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Athlon X4 840 in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD chip leads by 14.4% consistently across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with scores of 285, 1189, and 2833 respectively versus Intel's 244, 1018, and 2425.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4150T win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head data records zero wins for the Intel chip and five wins for the AMD Athlon X4 840 across all Cinebench tests.

Q: Why do both processors have the same average score if AMD wins every direct comparison?

A: The Intel chip has Geekbench results (1762 multi-core, 892 single-core) that the AMD chip lacks, and those scores factor into Intel's average without a corresponding AMD entry for comparison.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The Intel Core i3-4150T has a 35W TDP, while the AMD Athlon X4 840 has a 65W TDP, making the Intel chip the lower-power option by 30W.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i3-4150T and AMD Athlon X4 840 list ECC memory support as false.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core i3-4150T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process built by Intel, packing 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. AMD's Athlon X4 840 uses the Steamroller architecture on a 28 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 2,411 million transistors spread across a larger 245 mm² die. The AMD chip has more transistors and a bigger die, but it also consumes nearly double the power.

Core counts diverge significantly. The Intel chip offers 2 cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the AMD chip provides 4 physical cores with 4 threads. Cache layouts reflect this difference. Intel allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 3 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD provides 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache at all. The AMD part's larger L2 serves as its primary cache hierarchy.

Integrated graphics separate these chips entirely. The Intel Core i3-4150T includes Intel HD 4400 graphics on the CPU package. The AMD Athlon X4 840 has no integrated graphics whatsoever, meaning a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output. This makes the Intel chip a more complete package for basic systems, while the AMD chip assumes a graphics card will be present.

The AMD chip features an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Intel chip has a locked multiplier. Socket compatibility also differs completely: Intel uses Socket 1150, AMD uses Socket FM2+. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both run DDR3 in dual-channel mode. The AMD part has a stated memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while Intel's memory bandwidth is not listed.

Specification Differences

The core count and threading model present the most obvious divergence. Intel provides 2 cores and 4 threads; AMD provides 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clock speeds differ, with Intel running at 2.90 GHz and AMD at 3.10 GHz. The AMD chip also has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel chip has no boost capability listed.

Power draw separates the two significantly. Intel's TDP is 35W; AMD's is 65W. Process node favors Intel at 22 nm versus AMD's 28 nm. Transistor counts and die sizes also differ, with AMD using 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die compared to Intel's 1,400 million on 177 mm².

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. Intel provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 3 MB shared L3. AMD provides 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3. Memory bandwidth is listed for AMD at 34.1 GB/s but not for Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; Intel's is locked.

Integrated graphics exist only on the Intel side with Intel HD 4400. The AMD chip has no iGPU. PCIe support is identical in generation (Gen 3) but AMD specifies 16 lanes CPU-only, while Intel does not specify lane count. The AMD chip is marked as end-of-life production status, while Intel's status is not listed. Release dates differ by roughly three months, with Intel launching on 2014-04-30 and AMD on 2014-08-11.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance winner. The AMD Athlon X4 840 finishes ahead in every benchmark where both chips have results, with margins between 14.4% and 14.9% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single- and multi-core tests. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in rendering workloads, the AMD chip is the objectively faster processor.

The Intel Core i3-4150T counters with efficiency and integration. Its 35W TDP versus AMD's 65W means substantially lower power draw, which matters for compact builds or always-on systems. The inclusion of Intel HD 4400 graphics means the chip can run a display without any additional hardware. The AMD chip requires a discrete GPU, adding cost and power consumption to any build using it.

The identical average scores and percentile rankings complicate a simple verdict. Both chips land at 975 average and 26th percentile, suggesting that in aggregate workloads, neither has a decisive edge. The Intel chip's Geekbench results provide data that AMD cannot match, but those results are not directly comparable without AMD scores in the same tests.

Users who need multi-threaded Cinebench performance should choose the AMD Athlon X4 840. Users who need integrated graphics and lower power consumption should choose the Intel Core i3-4150T. The AMD chip's unlocked multiplier adds overclocking flexibility that the Intel chip lacks, but the Intel chip's complete package may serve mainstream desktop users better. The data does not support a universal recommendation; it supports a workload-specific one. The AMD chip wins every direct comparison. The Intel chip wins on power and graphics. Pick accordingly.