Athlon X4 870K vs Core i3-4150

CPU

GPU

Athlon X4 870K

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2015

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Core i3-4150

2 Cores4 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

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Athlon X4 870K vs Core i3-4150 Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 870K

4 / 4

3,443

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-4150

2 / 4

3,406

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 X4 870K vs Core i3-4150 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 870K vs Core i3-4150: 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 870K

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $191 less on MSRP ($90 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 215.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.3 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4150 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4150.

Core i3-4150

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Athlon X4 870K needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Athlon X4 870K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 870K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,406 vs 3,443).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 38.3 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon X4 870K better than Core i3-4150?

Yes. Athlon X4 870K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% 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, Athlon X4 870K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.4% 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, Athlon X4 870K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Athlon X4 870K is the better buy right now. Athlon X4 870K comes in $191 cheaper on MSRP at $90 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 215.6% better value on MSRP (38.3 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), 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 870K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and 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 870K vs Core i3-4150 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon X4 870K

The Athlon X4 870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 3,443 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-4150

The Core i3-4150 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Athlon X4 870K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4150 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Athlon X4 870K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Athlon X4 870K versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 — a 15.8% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 870K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Athlon X4 870K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-4150 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 870K scores 3,443 against the Core i3-4150's 3,406 — a 1.1% lead for the Athlon X4 870K.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-4150
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+17%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	28 nm	22 nm-21%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,443+1%	3,406
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,071

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 870K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-4150 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 870K versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4150 — the Athlon X4 870K supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon X4 870K 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 870K) and H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4150).

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-4150
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

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 870K) / VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150). The Core i3-4150 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Athlon X4 870K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-4150
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, EPT
Target Use	—	Budget Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 870K was priced at $90, while the Core i3-4150 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($90 vs $281), Athlon X4 870K was $191 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 870K delivers 38.3 pts/$ vs 12.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-4150 — making the Athlon X4 870K the 103.8% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-4150
MSRP	$90-68%	$281
Performance per Dollar	38.3+217%	12.1
Release Date	2015	2014

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