Athlon X4 860K vs Core i3-4330

Athlon X4 860K vs Core i3-4330 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 860K

4 / 4

3,425

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4330

2 / 4

3,482

+1.7%

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 860K vs Core i3-4330 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 860K vs Core i3-4330: 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 860K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $58 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 69.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 42.8 vs 25.2 PassMark/$ ($80 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,425 vs 3,482).
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4330 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-4330

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Athlon X4 860K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 860K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.2 vs 42.8 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $80 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 860K better than Core i3-4330?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 860K is ahead with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4330 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 860K is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 860K comes in $58 cheaper on MSRP at $80 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-4330 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 69.7% better value on MSRP (42.8 vs 25.2 PassMark/$), 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 860K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon X4 860K vs Core i3-4330 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 860K

The Athlon X4 860K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,425 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-4330

The Core i3-4330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: 3,482 points. Launch price was $171.

⚡

Processing Power

The Athlon X4 860K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4330 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 860K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Athlon X4 860K versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4330 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 860K (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Athlon X4 860K uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-4330 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 860K scores 3,425 against the Core i3-4330's 3,482 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i3-4330.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i3-4330
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,425	3,482+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 860K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4330 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 860K versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4330 — the Athlon X4 860K supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 860K 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.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i3-4330
Socket	FM2+	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 860K) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4330). The Core i3-4330 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Athlon X4 860K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4330 targets Desktop.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i3-4330
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 860K was priced at $80, while the Core i3-4330 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($80 vs $138), Athlon X4 860K was $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 860K delivers 42.8 pts/$ vs 25.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-4330 — making the Athlon X4 860K the 51.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 860K	Core i3-4330
MSRP	$80-42%	$138
Performance per Dollar	42.8+70%	25.2
Release Date	2014	2013

Search Athlon X4 860K on Amazon

Search Core i3-4330 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.