Athlon X4 730 vs Core i3-3220

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 730

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

Similar parts

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Core i3-3220

2 Cores4 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

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Athlon X4 730 vs Core i3-3220 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 730

4 / 4

2,278

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-3220

2 / 4

2,276

0.0%

Celeron 847

Core i3-530

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 X4 730 vs Core i3-3220 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 X4 730 vs Core i3-3220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon X4 730

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $57 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
✅Delivers 95.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.0 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3220 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-3220.

Core i3-3220

2012

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Athlon X4 730 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon X4 730.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,276 vs 2,278).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.5 vs 38.0 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 730 better than Core i3-3220?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3220 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 730 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon X4 730 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 730 is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 730 comes in $57 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-3220 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 95.2% better value on MSRP (38.0 vs 19.5 PassMark/$), 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 X4 730 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Athlon X4 730 vs Core i3-3220 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 730

The Athlon X4 730 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,278 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-3220

The Core i3-3220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,276 points. Launch price was $117.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 730 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3220 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 730 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon X4 730 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-3220 — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-3220 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Athlon X4 730 uses the Trinity (2012−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3220 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 730 scores 2,278 against the Core i3-3220's 2,276 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon X4 730.

Feature	Athlon X4 730	Core i3-3220
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Trinity (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,278	2,276
Geekbench 6 Single	—	503

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 730 uses the FM2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3220 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X4 730 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3220 — the Athlon X4 730 supports 16.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 730 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2 (Athlon X4 730) and B75,Z75,Z77,H77,Q75,Q77,H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-3220).

Feature	Athlon X4 730	Core i3-3220
Socket	FM2	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+17%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 730) / VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220). The Core i3-3220 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Athlon X4 730 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220 rivals FX-4300.

Feature	Athlon X4 730	Core i3-3220
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, EPT
Target Use	—	Budget Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 730 was priced at $60, while the Core i3-3220 came in at $117. On launch pricing ($60 vs $117), Athlon X4 730 was $57 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 730 delivers 38.0 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-3220 — making the Athlon X4 730 the 64.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 730	Core i3-3220
MSRP	$60-49%	$117
Performance per Dollar	38.0+95%	19.5
Release Date	2012	2012

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