🚀 CPU Launch

AMD Athlon X4 870K vs AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core

Table of Contents



Overview:

Comparison between AMD Athlon X4 870K and AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core

Both CPUs are manufactured by AMD. AMD Athlon X4 870K has a higher base speed of 3.9 GHz compared to AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's 2.7 GHz. AMD Athlon X4 870K has a higher turbo speed of 4.1 GHz compared to AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's GHz. Both CPUs have the same number of cores (4). AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core supports more threads (4) compared to AMD Athlon X4 870K's threads.

Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop. AMD Athlon X4 870K uses the FM2+ socket, while AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core uses the FM1 socket. AMD Athlon X4 870K was launched in Q1 2016, while AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core was launched in Q2 2015. Both CPUs have the same L3 cache size of MB.

Specification Summary

The AMD Athlon X4 870K and AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:

  • Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by AMD.
  • Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has a base speed of 3.9 GHz, while the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core runs at 2.7 GHz.
  • Turbo Boost: The AMD Athlon X4 870K supports a turbo speed of 4.1 GHz, compared to GHz for the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core.
  • Cores: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has 4 cores, while the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core has 4 cores.
  • Threads: The AMD Athlon X4 870K supports threads, compared to 4 threads for the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core.
  • Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
  • Socket: The AMD Athlon X4 870K uses the FM2+, while the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core uses the FM1.
  • Launch Date: The AMD Athlon X4 870K was launched on Q1 2016, while the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core was released on Q2 2015.
  • L3 Cache: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core.

Detailed Specifications:

Specs AMD Athlon X4 870K AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core
AMD AMD
Manufacturer AMD AMD
Speed 3.9 GHz 2.7 GHz
Turbo 4.1 GHz GHz
Cores 4 4
Threads 4
Class Desktop Desktop
Socket FM2+ FM1
Launched Q1 2016 Q2 2015
L3 Cache MB MB

Review:

Single Core Performance:


CPU Performance in single-threaded applications

AMD Athlon X4 870K:



25%
AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core:
19%
* More is Better

Multi Core Performance:


CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications

AMD Athlon X4 870K



4%
AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core:
3%
* More is Better

Power Efficiency:


Power Consumption of CPU under full load

AMD Athlon X4 870K: 95 watts



23.75%
AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core: 65 watts
16.25%
* Lower is Better

Launched Date:


Time when the CPU was launched


AMD Athlon X4 870K : Q1 2016 ✅

AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core : Q2 2015 ✅

* Newer is Better

CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:

CPU Final Rating Ratings

AMD Athlon X4 870K



AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core


Pro's and Con's

AMD Athlon X4 870K – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Higher Base Clock Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has a higher base clock speed of 3.9 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's 2.7 GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
  • Higher Turbo Boost Speed: The AMD Athlon X4 870K supports a higher turbo boost speed of 4.1 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's GHz. This allows for better performance during peak workloads.
  • Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 1558, the AMD Athlon X4 870K outperforms the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core (score: 1163). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
  • Higher CPU Mark Score: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has a higher CPU Mark score of 99.70 compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's 35.79. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.

Cons:

  • Fewer Threads: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has threads, which is fewer than the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's 4 threads. This may limit its ability to handle highly parallel workloads efficiently.
  • Higher Power Consumption: The AMD Athlon X4 870K has a higher TDP of 95W compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core's 65W. This means it may consume more power, leading to higher energy costs and potentially more heat generation, which could require better cooling solutions.

AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Newer Release: The AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core was launched more recently (Q2 2015) compared to the AMD Athlon X4 870K (Q1 2016). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.

Cons:

  • Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core scores 2250, which is lower than the AMD Athlon X4 870K's score of 3410. This makes the AMD Athlon X4 870K a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.


Productivity


AMD Athlon X4 870K
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.

AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.


Gaming

AMD Athlon X4 870K
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.

AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.



Verdict

AMD Athlon X4 870K

The AMD Athlon X4 870K is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.

AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core

The AMD Athlon II X4 638 Quad-Core is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.