A4-7300 vs Core i3-2100T

A4-7300 vs Core i3-2100T Performance Spectrum

A4-7300

2 / 2

1,536

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-2100T

2 / 4

1,531

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A4-7300 vs Core i3-2100T FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A4-7300 vs Core i3-2100T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A4-7300

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 8470D, while Core i3-2100T needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-2100T.

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i3-2100T

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,531 vs 1,536).
❌Launch MSRP is still $127 MSRP, while A4-7300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while A4-7300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A4-7300.

Quick Answers

So, is A4-7300 better than Core i3-2100T?

Yes. A4-7300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A4-7300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A4-7300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A4-7300 is still the much better call for a fresh build. A4-7300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $127 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2100T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A4-7300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A4-7300 vs Core i3-2100T Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A4-7300

The A4-7300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,536 points. Launch price was $50.

Core i3-2100T

The Core i3-2100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,531 points. Launch price was $180.

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Processing Power

The A4-7300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2100T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the A4-7300 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-2100T — a 46.2% clock advantage for the A4-7300 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The A4-7300 uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-2100T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A4-7300 scores 1,536 against the Core i3-2100T's 1,531 — a 0.3% lead for the A4-7300.

Feature	A4-7300	Core i3-2100T
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+60%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+52%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1024 kB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Richland (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,536	1,531
Geekbench 6 Single	349	—

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Memory & Platform

The A4-7300 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-2100T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A4-7300	Core i3-2100T
Socket	FM2	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (A4-7300) / not specified (Core i3-2100T). The A4-7300 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8470D), while the Core i3-2100T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A4-7300 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: A4-7300 rivals Pentium G3250.