Athlon II X4 651 vs Core i3-4350

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X4 651

4 Cores4 Thrd100 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

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Core i3-4350

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2014

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Athlon II X4 651 vs Core i3-4350 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 651

4 / 4

3,584

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4350

2 / 4

3,611

+0.8%

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 651 vs Core i3-4350 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 651 vs Core i3-4350: 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 651

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $46 less on MSRP ($92 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 39.0 vs 26.2 PassMark/$ ($92 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,584 vs 3,611).
❌85.2% higher power demand at 100W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4350 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4350.

Core i3-4350

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 100W, a 46W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Athlon II X4 651 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Athlon II X4 651.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 26.2 vs 39.0 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $92 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4350 better than Athlon II X4 651?

Yes. Core i3-4350 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, Core i3-4350 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.1% 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 i3-4350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4350 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-4350 comes in 50.0% more expensive on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $92 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X4 651 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 48.9% better value on paper (39.0 vs 26.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on FM1.

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

Core i3-4350 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 / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon II X4 651 vs Core i3-4350 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 651

The Athlon II X4 651 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 3,584 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-4350

The Core i3-4350 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,611 points. Launch price was $170.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 651 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4350 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon II X4 651 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 651 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-4350 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-4350 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Athlon II X4 651 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4350 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 651 scores 3,584 against the Core i3-4350's 3,611 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-4350. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 651 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4350.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Core i3-4350
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,584	3,611
Geekbench 6 Single	—	951
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,827

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 651 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4350 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 651 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4350 — the Athlon II X4 651 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4350 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: AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 651) and H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4350).

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Core i3-4350
Socket	FM1	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 651) / VT-x (Core i3-4350). The Core i3-4350 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Athlon II X4 651 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4350 targets Office Desktop.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Core i3-4350
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Office Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 651 was priced at $92, while the Core i3-4350 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($92 vs $138), Athlon II X4 651 was $46 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 651 delivers 39.0 pts/$ vs 26.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-4350 — making the Athlon II X4 651 the 39.3% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 651	Core i3-4350
MSRP	$92-33%	$138
Performance per Dollar	39.0+49%	26.2
Release Date	2011	2014

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