Athlon II X4 631 vs Phenom II X3 N870

Athlon II X4 631 vs Phenom II X3 N870 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 631

4 / 4

2,118

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Phenom II X3 N870

3 / 3

2,145

+1.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 II X4 631 vs Phenom II X3 N870 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 II X4 631 vs Phenom II X3 N870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II X4 631

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,118 vs 2,145).
❌Launch MSRP is still $80 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N870 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6566.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 N870

2010

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 100W, a 99W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 631 better than Phenom II X3 N870?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X4 631 is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 22 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 N870 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 N870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Athlon II X4 631 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 631 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $80 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 22 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X3 N870 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon II X4 631 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 631 vs Phenom II X3 N870 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 631

The Athlon II X4 631 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,118 points. Launch price was $149.

Phenom II X3 N870

The Phenom II X3 N870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,145 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 631 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N870 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Athlon II X4 631 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X4 631 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N870 — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 631. The Athlon II X4 631 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N870 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 631 scores 2,118 against the Phenom II X3 N870's 2,145 — a 1.3% lead for the Phenom II X3 N870.

Feature	Athlon II X4 631	Phenom II X3 N870
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+33%	3 / 3
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+13%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1.5 MB+50%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,118	2,145+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 631 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 N870 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.