AMD Athlon X4 760K

The AMD Athlon X4 760K is a desktop processor from the Richland generation, built on the Piledriver architecture and a 32nm process. It has four cores and four threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The 100W TDP and unlocked multiplier position it as an enthusiast-oriented part on the FM2 socket. Benchmark results show a Geekbench multi-core score of 1098 and a single-core score of 455, yielding an average score of 777 and a 20th percentile ranking among all CPUs. These numbers place it firmly in the low-performance tier, making it suitable for basic computing rather than demanding workloads.

Who Should Consider It

The Athlon X4 760K is best suited for users whose workloads are light and do not stress per-core performance. The single-core score of 455 is exceptionally low, so everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and document editing will run acceptably, but any application that depends on a single thread—such as older games or spreadsheet macros—will feel sluggish. The multi-core score of 1098 is also modest, so video encoding or 3D rendering will be slow, though the four cores do provide some parallel capability. Because the CPU has no integrated graphics (the integratedGraphics field is null), a discrete GPU is mandatory. This makes it a candidate for builds that already have a graphics card, or for users who plan to pair it with a low-end GPU for casual gaming or legacy software. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, which can recover some performance, but the underlying architecture's limitations remain. The end-of-life status and FM2 socket mean this is a legacy platform, so it is likely only relevant for upgrading an existing FM2 system or for those who have compatible parts on hand.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is rated at 100W, a moderate figure for a quad-core desktop CPU. The 32nm process node, 246 mm² die size, and 1,303 million transistors indicate a relatively large chip that generates a fair amount of heat. A 100W TDP implies that a capable air cooler—one with a standard tower design or a good downdraft cooler—should be sufficient to maintain safe temperatures at stock clocks. The boost clock of 4.10 GHz suggests that under sustained load, the chip will draw close to its rated TDP. Since the multiplier is unlocked, overclocking will increase both power draw and heat output, necessitating a more robust cooling solution, though the data does not specify any thermal limits. The absence of integrated graphics means all power is directed to the CPU cores, which simplifies cooling but also means the entire 100W budget is dedicated to the processor itself.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Geekbench single-core score of 455 and multi-core score of 1098 reveal a scaling factor of roughly 2.4×. With four cores, ideal scaling would be 4×, so the observed 2.4× indicates significant efficiency losses when moving from one to four threads. This is typical of the Piledriver architecture, which shares some execution resources between core pairs. For real-world workloads, this means that single-threaded performance is a severe bottleneck; any task that cannot be parallelized will run at the pace dictated by that 455 score, which is among the lowest in the benchmark database. Conversely, multithreaded tasks like batch image processing or video transcoding will see a benefit from the four cores, but the absolute multi-core score of 1098 is still low compared to even entry-level modern processors. The 20th percentile overall confirms that the CPU is in the bottom fifth of all tested parts, so even its best-case multi-threaded performance is not competitive.

Platform and Compatibility

The Athlon X4 760K uses the AMD Socket FM2, a platform that is now end-of-life. It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, with a theoretical bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The PCIe interface is Gen 2, which is an older standard; this limits the bandwidth available to modern GPUs and NVMe drives, but for a legacy platform it is adequate. ECC memory is not supported, so this CPU is not suitable for error-correcting workloads. There is no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking via the motherboard's BIOS or software utilities. The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, with no L3 cache (the field is null). The lack of L3 cache may contribute to higher memory latency, though the dual-channel memory bus at 29.9 GB/s is typical for the era. The upgrade path on FM2 is limited to other processors in that socket, but the data does not list any alternatives, and the platform's age means few new motherboards are available.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals, based on average benchmark score, are the Intel Core i5-680, Intel Core i7-3687U, AMD A10-5800K, and Intel Core i5-3320M. The Athlon X4 760K has an average score of 777, exactly matching the Intel Core i5-680, which also scores 777 (delta 0%). This parity is striking because the i5-680 is a desktop part from an earlier generation, yet the Athlon's four cores do not give it any advantage. The Intel Core i7-3687U scores 776, a 0.1% difference from the Athlon; this is a mobile processor, yet it performs within a fraction of a percent of the desktop Athlon. The AMD A10-5800K scores 778, a -0.1% difference, meaning the Athlon is slightly behind its AMD sibling, though the margin is negligible. The Intel Core i5-3320M scores 779, a -0.2% difference, again a mobile part that edges out the Athlon by a tiny margin. All four rivals are within 0.2% of the Athlon's average score, so in this benchmark they are effectively identical. This suggests that the Athlon's higher core count does not translate into a meaningful performance advantage, and that the architecture's efficiency is comparable to those other parts.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Athlon X4 760K have integrated graphics?

A: No, the integratedGraphics field is null, meaning it has no iGPU. A discrete graphics card is required.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is rated at 100W.

Q: What memory type does it support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses AMD Socket FM2.

Q: What is the release date?

A: It was released on 2013-05-31.

Q: What is the process node?

A: It is built on a 32nm process.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Benchmark Performance

The Geekbench multi-core score of 1098 and single-core score of 455 produce an average score of 777, placing the Athlon X4 760K at the 20th percentile of all CPUs. This means it outperforms only 20% of processors, confirming its low-end status. When compared to its nearest rivals, the performance is essentially tied. The Intel Core i5-680 has the same average score of 777 (0% delta), while the Intel Core i7-3687U scores 776 (0.1% delta), the AMD A10-5800K scores 778 (-0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i5-3320M scores 779 (-0.2% delta). These deltas are all within 0.2%, so the Athlon X4 760K is statistically indistinguishable from these parts in aggregate performance. However, the single-core and multi-core breakdowns are only provided for the Athlon; the rivals' scores are aggregated, so we cannot compare their scaling behavior. The Athlon's multi-core to single-core ratio of 2.4× indicates poor scaling from one to four cores, which may be a differentiator in workloads that are heavily parallel. Yet, given the low absolute scores, even the multi-core performance is not competitive with modern CPUs. The 20th percentile ranking underscores that this processor is best suited for basic tasks, and its performance parity with older and mobile parts highlights the architectural limitations of the Piledriver design.