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AMD Athlon X4 940

AMD Athlon X4 940

AMD Athlon X4 940: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

April 2025

Introduction

The AMD Athlon X4 940 processor, released in 2016, is still found in budget builds. Despite its age, it remains a viable option for office PCs and multimedia systems. In this article, we'll explore whether this chip is still relevant in 2025, how to use it effectively, and who it may suit.

1. Key Specifications

Architecture and Manufacturing Process

The Athlon X4 940 is based on the Excavator microarchitecture (codename Bristol Ridge) and is manufactured using a 28nm process. This is the last generation of AMD processors before the revolutionary Zen architecture.

- 4 cores/4 threads: No support for SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading), which limits multithreaded performance.

- Base frequency: 3.2 GHz, with turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz.

- Cache: 2 MB L2 (512 KB per two cores).

Key Features:

- Integrated graphics Radeon R5 (not available in all models; X4 940 does not have it).

- DDR4 support.

- Low TDP (65 W), making cooling easier.

Performance:

- In Cinebench R20 tests: ~250 points (single-threaded), ~800 points (multi-threaded).

- For comparison: Ryzen 3 1200 (Zen, 2017) scores ~350/1200 points.

2. Compatible Motherboards

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the AM4 socket but is not compatible with all boards with this socket:

- Supported chipsets include A320, B350, X370.

- A BIOS update may be required (e.g., P5.90 for ASUS boards).

Examples of motherboards:

- ASUS Prime A320M-K ($60–70): Basic model with HDMI and USB 3.1.

- Gigabyte GA-AB350M-DS3H ($80–90): 4 DDR4 slots, overclocking support (note: X4 940 is not unlocked).

Selection Tips:

- Ensure the motherboard box has a label saying "AMD Bristol Ridge Ready."

- Avoid chipsets B450/X470 as there is no official support.

3. Supported Memory

- Type: DDR4 (does not support DDR5).

- Frequencies: Up to 2400 MHz (officially). In practice, some boards allow 2666–2933 MHz.

- Modes: Dual-channel (installing two modules is recommended).

Example configuration:

- 2x8 GB DDR4-2400 (e.g., Kingston HyperX Fury, $40–50 for the set).

4. Power Supply Recommendations

With a TDP of 65 W, the processor does not require a powerful PSU:

- Without a discrete GPU: A 300–350 W PSU is sufficient (e.g., be quiet! Pure Power 11 350W, $45).

- With a GPU: For models like GTX 1650 (TDP 75 W), a 450 W PSU will suffice (EVGA 450 BR, $50).

Tip: Don't skimp on the PSU — even for a budget build, choose models with an 80+ Bronze certification.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Low price ($50–70 in new condition).

- Energy efficiency.

- AM4 compatibility (upgrade potential to Ryzen).

Cons:

- Outdated architecture: 30–40% IPC lag behind Zen.

- No support for PCIe 4.0/5.0.

- Limited performance in games and heavy applications.

6. Use Cases

Office Tasks

- Document work, browsing (10+ tabs), video calls.

- Example: A build with X4 940, 8 GB DDR4, and SSD is ideal for accounting.

Multimedia

- Watching 4K videos (with hardware decoding through a discrete GPU).

- Connecting to a TV via HDMI (requires a board with HDMI 2.0).

Gaming

- Older and less demanding games: CS:GO, Dota 2, Minecraft.

- Paired with a GTX 1050 Ti: 60 FPS on low settings at Full HD.

7. Comparison with Competitors

Intel Pentium Gold G7400 (Alder Lake, 2023)

- Price: $75–90.

- 2 cores/4 threads, 10nm process.

- Better in single-threaded tasks (+25%), but weaker in multithreaded (-15%).

AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (Zen, 2017)

- Price: $60–80 (used).

- 4 cores/4 threads, 14nm.

- Higher performance (+30% in multithreading), PCIe 3.0 support.

Conclusion: The X4 940 only wins in price, but falls short in upgrade potential.

8. Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Choose models with guaranteed Bristol Ridge support (e.g., ASRock A320M-HDV).

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, opt for the DeepCool Gammaxx 400 ($20).

3. Storage: Always use an SSD (Kingston A400 240 GB, $25).

4. Upgrade: Plan to transition to a Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores, Zen 3) in the future.

9. Final Verdict: Who is the Athlon X4 940 Suitable For?

This processor is only worth considering in two cases:

1. Super Budget Build: When the budget is strictly limited ($200–300) and the tasks are basic.

2. Temporary Solution: For example, as a test system with plans to upgrade to Ryzen.

Alternative: If the budget allows adding $30–50, it's better to consider the Ryzen 3 2200G (4 cores, Vega 8) or Intel Pentium Gold.

Conclusion

The AMD Athlon X4 940 in 2025 is a relic but not yet a museum piece. It is suitable for undemanding users, but don’t expect miracles from it. If you're not ready to compromise, look for more modern solutions.

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Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
July 2017
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
Athlon X4 940
Code Name
Bristol Ridge
Generation
Athlon (Bristol Ridge)

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
4
Basic Frequency
3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
up to 3.6 GHz
L1 Cache
320 KB
L2 Cache
2 MB
Multiplier Unlocked
No
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
AMD Socket AM4
Multiplier
32.0x
Bus Frequency
100 MHz
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
28 nm
TDP
65 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
90°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only)
Transistors
3,100 million

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
Dual-channel
ECC Memory
No

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
N/A