Athlon 64 FX-74 vs Core i3-3110M

Athlon 64 FX-74 vs Core i3-3110M Performance Spectrum

Athlon 64 FX-74

2 / 2

1,658

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-3110M

2 / 4

1,656

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.

Athlon 64 FX-74 vs Core i3-3110M 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.

Athlon 64 FX-74 vs Core i3-3110M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon 64 FX-74

2006

Why buy it

✅Draws 125W instead of 512W, a 387W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (400 vs 424).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (750 vs 846).
❌Launch MSRP is still $499 MSRP, while Core i3-3110M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3110M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-3110M

2012

Why buy it

✅+6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Athlon 64 FX-74 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌309.6% higher power demand at 512W vs 125W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3110M better than Athlon 64 FX-74?

Yes. Core i3-3110M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 12.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 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, Core i3-3110M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% 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, Core i3-3110M is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-3110M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-3110M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon 64 FX-74 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on F.

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

Core i3-3110M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon 64 FX-74 vs Core i3-3110M Technical Specifications

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

Athlon 64 FX-74

The Athlon 64 FX-74 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Novembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $500.

Core i3-3110M

The Core i3-3110M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,656 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Athlon 64 FX-74 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3110M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-74 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-3110M — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-74. The Athlon 64 FX-74 uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Core i3-3110M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 FX-74 scores 1,658 against the Core i3-3110M's 1,656 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon 64 FX-74. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 400 vs 424, a 5.8% lead for the Core i3-3110M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 750 vs 846 (12% advantage for the Core i3-3110M). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-74 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3110M.

Feature	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core i3-3110M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	90 nm	22 nm-76%
Architecture	Windsor (2006−2007)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,658	1,656
Geekbench 6 Single	400	424+6%
Geekbench 6 Multi	750	846+13%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 FX-74 uses the F socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3110M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2 on the Athlon 64 FX-74 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3110M — the Core i3-3110M supports 79900% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3110M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: nForce 680a (Athlon 64 FX-74) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i3-3110M).

Feature	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core i3-3110M
Socket	F	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2	DDR3-1600+79900%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Athlon 64 FX-74 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 64 FX-74) vs VT-x (Core i3-3110M). The Core i3-3110M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Athlon 64 FX-74 targets Budget, Core i3-3110M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Athlon 64 FX-74 rivals Pentium Extreme Edition 965; Core i3-3110M rivals AMD A8-4500M.