AMD Athlon 240GE

The AMD Athlon 240GE is a dual-core, four-thread desktop processor built on the Zen architecture, targeting the entry-level segment with a 35W TDP. Its average benchmark score of 1121 places it at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating that it is positioned firmly for basic computing tasks rather than heavy workloads. The data shows a processor that trades raw performance for efficiency and platform affordability, with its integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics serving as a key differentiator in its class.

Benchmark Performance

The Athlon 240GE delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3876 and a single-core score of 547. In the older R20 test, it scores 1627 multi-core and 229 single-core, while in R15 it reaches 390 multi-core and 54 single-core. These results place the processor at the 32nd percentile overall, meaning roughly two-thirds of all tested CPUs outperform it in aggregate.

Against its nearest rivals, the Athlon 240GE is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon D-1518, showing a 0% delta with both averaging 1121 points. It trails the Intel Pentium Gold G5600 by a marginal 0.2%, with the Pentium scoring 1123 versus 1121. Conversely, the Athlon holds a 0.3% advantage over both the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 and the Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3, each scoring 1117. These deltas are within the noise of benchmark variance, indicating that the Athlon 240GE is functionally equivalent in multi-threaded aggregate performance to all four of these competing parts.

The multi-core scores tell a consistent story across all three Cinebench versions. The R23 result of 3876 shows the processor can handle simultaneous multi-threaded tasks like light video encoding or compilation, but the 32nd percentile ranking confirms it is not designed for sustained heavy workloads. The single-core scores, particularly the R23 result of 547, are similarly modest, reflecting the 3.50 GHz base clock with no boost capability.

Who Should Consider It

This processor is best suited for users whose primary workload is web browsing, office productivity, and media consumption. The dual-core design with four threads, combined with the Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, makes it a viable option for a basic home or office PC where discrete graphics are unnecessary. The 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth and dual-channel DDR4 support ensure that integrated graphics performance is not artificially bottlenecked by memory throughput.

For gaming, the Athlon 240GE is only appropriate for esports titles and older games at low settings. The integrated Radeon Vega 3 GPU can handle 2D games and light 3D titles, but the single-core score of 547 in R23 indicates that CPU-bound modern games will struggle. Users seeking a gaming rig should look elsewhere, as the data shows no headroom for high frame rates in demanding titles.

Content creation is possible but limited. The multi-core R23 score of 3876 allows for basic photo editing and light 1080p video rendering, but render times will be significantly longer than with higher-tier processors. Office workers running spreadsheets, word processors, and email clients will find the performance perfectly adequate, as these applications are primarily single-threaded and the 229 R20 single-core score handles them without issue.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The single-thread to multi-thread performance ratio reveals a processor that is balanced for its core count. In R23, the multi-core score of 3876 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 547, which is expected for a dual-core part with simultaneous multi-threading. This scaling is linear and predictable, showing that the Zen architecture allocates resources efficiently across all four threads.

For real workloads, this means that applications which rely on a single thread — such as legacy software, many productivity tools, and some game engines — will see performance directly tied to the 3.50 GHz base clock. The lack of a boost clock means the processor runs at a constant frequency, providing consistent but unexceptional single-threaded throughput. Multi-threaded applications like video transcoding or batch file processing will utilize all four threads effectively, but the absolute performance ceiling is low due to the dual-core foundation.

The R15 single-core score of 54 is particularly telling, as it is among the lowest in the Cinebench R15 database. This indicates that the Athlon 240GE is not suitable for single-thread-heavy professional applications like CAD software or complex spreadsheet calculations. Users should expect responsive performance for basic tasks but noticeable lag when pushing any single-threaded workload beyond moderate complexity.

How It Compares

Intel Xeon D-1518: The Athlon 240GE matches the Xeon D-1518 exactly, with both averaging 1121 points. This is surprising given the Xeon's server-oriented positioning, but the data shows identical aggregate performance. The Athlon achieves this parity with a lower TDP and integrated graphics, making it a more practical choice for desktop users.

Intel Pentium Gold G5600: The Athlon trails the Pentium Gold G5600 by 0.2%, a negligible margin given the G5600's higher clock speed. In practice, the two processors are interchangeable in performance, but the Athlon's integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics provide a significant advantage over the Pentium's weaker GPU solution.

Intel Pentium Gold G5500: The Athlon leads the G5500 by 0.3%, again a margin within run-to-run variance. Both processors target the same entry-level market segment, and the data shows no meaningful performance separation. The Athlon's 35W TDP gives it an efficiency edge over the Pentium's higher power draw.

Intel Xeon E5-2603 v3: The Athlon also leads this Xeon by 0.3%. The E5-2603 v3 is a server part with more cores, but its lower clock speed brings its aggregate benchmark score down to the Athlon's level. This comparison highlights that the Athlon 240GE, despite its modest specifications, can keep pace with older server processors in synthetic benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Athlon 240GE support error-correcting memory?

A: No, the processor does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the processor's integrated graphics solution?

A: The Athlon 240GE includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, which are suitable for basic display output and light GPU-accelerated tasks.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of this processor?

A: The launch MSRP is $75.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, meaning the processor runs at its fixed 3.50 GHz base clock with no boost capability.

Q: What memory type does the Athlon 240GE support?

A: It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: How does the Athlon 240GE perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: It scores 3876 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, placing it at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Platform and Compatibility

The Athlon 240GE uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform, which provides broad compatibility with a wide range of motherboards from AMD's 300, 400, and 500 series chipsets. The processor supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, with a maximum memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. This memory configuration is essential for the integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics, as they rely on system memory for video memory allocation.

PCIe support is limited to Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. This is sufficient for a single discrete GPU or an NVMe SSD, but users should be aware that multi-GPU configurations or high-bandwidth expansion cards will be constrained. The processor has a 14 nm process node from GlobalFoundries, with 4,950 million transistors on a 209.8 mm² die, reflecting the Zen architecture's design.

The upgrade path is a key advantage of the AM4 platform. Users who start with the Athlon 240GE can later upgrade to higher-tier AM4 processors without changing the motherboard, provided the motherboard BIOS is updated. The processor's part number is YD240GC6M2OFB, and it was released on December 20, 2018. It remains in active production, ensuring continued availability for budget builds.

Power and Thermals

The Athlon 240GE has a TDP of 35 watts, making it one of the most power-efficient desktop processors available. This low TDP means that a stock cooler is entirely adequate, and even a passive or low-profile cooling solution can handle the thermal load in a well-ventilated case. The data shows no thermal throttling concerns under normal operating conditions, as the fixed 3.50 GHz clock speed eliminates boost-related temperature spikes.

The 35W TDP class implies that the processor is suitable for small form factor builds where cooling space is limited. It also reduces overall system power draw, which can lower electricity costs over the long term. The integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics share the same thermal envelope, meaning the entire package remains cool under combined CPU and GPU load.

For users building a quiet PC, the Athlon 240GE's low power draw allows for fanless or near-silent operation. The lack of a boost clock also means that power consumption is constant under load, avoiding sudden thermal fluctuations. This makes the processor an excellent choice for always-on systems like home servers or network-attached storage devices, where consistent low power draw is prioritized over peak performance.