AMD Athlon X4 750
AMD Athlon X4 750: Review and Practical Guide for 2025
(Richland, 32 nm, 4 cores, 65 W)
Key Features: Architecture and Performance
The AMD Athlon X4 750, released in 2013, belongs to the Richland family. It is one of the last generations of AMD processors before transitioning to more modern architectures (Piledriver/Steamroller).
Richland Architecture is built on a 32-nm process, which is considered outdated by 2025 (modern chips utilize 5–7 nm). However, at its time, it provided a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
- 4 cores / 4 threads: Lacks multithreading support (Hyper-Threading), which limits performance in multitasking scenarios.
- Base clock speed: 3.4 GHz, with Turbo Core up to 4.0 GHz.
- Key features: Support for AVX, AES, FMA instructions; no integrated GPU — requires a discrete graphics card.
Performance
- In Cinebench R15 tests (4 cores), it scores around 250–270 points. For comparison, modern budget processors (e.g., AMD Ryzen 3 5300G) achieve 1000+ points.
- In 2010s games (Dota 2, CS:GO), it delivers 40–60 FPS on medium settings with a GTX 1050 Ti level graphics card.
Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets
FM2 Socket — an outdated standard, which excludes compatibility with modern platforms. Suitable chipsets include:
- A55/A75/A85X: Motherboards based on A85X (e.g., ASUS A85XM-A) support overclocking, USB 3.0, and SATA III.
- Selection Considerations:
- Due to the age of the boards, look for them on the secondary market (price: $20–40).
- Check the condition of VRM modules — overheating can occur even at a TDP of 65 W.
- Recommended models: Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4, MSI FM2-A75MA-E35.
Supported Memory Types
The Athlon X4 750 operates only with DDR3 (up to 1866 MHz).
- Limitations:
- Maximum capacity — up to 64 GB (though rare boards support more than 32 GB).
- For stability, it’s better to use dual-channel mode (2×4 GB or 2×8 GB).
- Compatibility with DDR4/DDR5: None. This makes the processor unsuitable for modern setups.
Power Supply Recommendations
With a TDP of 65 W and no integrated GPU, the power supply requirements are modest:
- Minimum wattage: 400–450 W (considering the graphics card).
- Examples:
- For a system with a GTX 1650: Corsair CX450 (80+ Bronze, $50).
- Important: The PSU should have a 4-pin EPS 12V connector for the processor.
Pros and Cons of the Athlon X4 750
Pros:
- Low price: New units (if available) — $40–60.
- Energy efficiency: 65 W compared to 95 W for FX series.
- Easy upgrade: Suitable for replacing older processors in the FM2 socket.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture: Struggles with modern games and heavy applications.
- Limited multithreading: 4 threads are insufficient for rendering or streaming tasks.
- Lack of PCIe 3.0/4.0: The maximum is PCIe 2.0, which limits the speed of SSDs and graphics cards.
Use Cases
1. Office Tasks: Document work, web browsing, Zoom — the processor performs confidently.
2. Multimedia: Watching 4K video through a GPU with VP9 decoder (e.g., GT 1030).
3. Light Gaming: Indie projects, retro gaming, older AAA titles (Skyrim, GTA V).
4. Home Server: Low power consumption makes it suitable for a Linux-based NAS.
Real Example: A user built a PC with an Athlon X4 750 + GTX 750 Ti for a 2010s Steam library. Result: 60 FPS in Borderlands 2, 50 FPS in Witcher 2.
Comparison with Competitors
- Intel Pentium G3420 (Haswell, 2 cores/2 threads):
- Lags in multithreading but excels in IPC. Price: $35–50.
- AMD Athlon X4 860K (Kaveri, 4 cores):
- Newer architecture (Steamroller), 15–20% higher performance. Price: $60–80.
Conclusion: In 2025, the X4 750 is an option for ultra-budget builds or upgrading old systems.
Practical Assembly Tips
1. SSD is a must: A SATA III SSD (e.g., Kingston A400) will eliminate HDD bottlenecks.
2. Cooling: Even the stock cooler will suffice, but for quiet operation, consider the Deepcool Gammaxx 400 ($20).
3. Graphics Card: No higher than GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 6400 — more powerful GPUs will bottleneck at the CPU.
4. Memory: 8–16 GB DDR3-1600/1866 (cost: $15–30 per kit).
Final Verdict: Who is the Athlon X4 750 For?
This processor is suitable for:
- Retro computer enthusiasts: Building a PC for 2010s games.
- Budget office systems: If there is an existing FM2 motherboard.
- A second home PC: Media center or a machine for a student.
Why in 2025? Only due to price and compatibility with older hardware. For modern tasks, it's better to choose a Ryzen 3 or Intel Core i3 from the 12th generation.
If you find an Athlon X4 750 for $40 and want to revive an old PC — it's a wise choice. However, for future upgrades, be prepared to replace the entire platform.