Athlon X4 870K vs Core i3-9100HL

Athlon X4 870K vs Core i3-9100HL Performance Spectrum

Athlon X4 870K

4 / 4

3,443

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-9100HL

4 / 4

3,454

+0.3%

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 i3-9100HL 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 i3-9100HL: 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: +7.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $135 less on MSRP ($90 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 149.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.3 vs 15.4 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,443 vs 3,454).
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9100HL can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-9100HL

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Athlon X4 870K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Athlon X4 870K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.4 vs 38.3 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9100HL better than Athlon X4 870K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon X4 870K is ahead with a 7.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100HL pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9100HL is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-9100HL is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-9100HL comes in 150.0% more expensive on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $90 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Athlon X4 870K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 149.2% better value on paper (38.3 vs 15.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on FM2+.

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

Core i3-9100HL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 X4 870K vs Core i3-9100HL 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 i3-9100HL

The Core i3-9100HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,454 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon X4 870K and Core i3-9100HL share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Athlon X4 870K versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-9100HL — a 34.3% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 870K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Athlon X4 870K uses the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-9100HL uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X4 870K scores 3,443 against the Core i3-9100HL's 3,454 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-9100HL.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-9100HL
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+41%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+144%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	—	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	28 nm	14 nm-50%
Architecture	Godaveri (2014−2016)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,443	3,454
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,037
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,373

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon X4 870K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-9100HL uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 870K versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i3-9100HL — the Core i3-9100HL supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 870K) and Intel 300 Series (Core i3-9100HL).

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-9100HL
Socket	FM2+	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	DDR4 2666 MHz+25%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X4 870K) / true (Core i3-9100HL). The Core i3-9100HL includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Athlon X4 870K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9100HL targets Embedded.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-9100HL
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true
Target Use	—	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon X4 870K was priced at $90, while the Core i3-9100HL came in at $225. On launch pricing ($90 vs $225), Athlon X4 870K was $135 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 870K delivers 38.3 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-9100HL — making the Athlon X4 870K the 85.5% better value option.

Feature	Athlon X4 870K	Core i3-9100HL
MSRP	$90-60%	$225
Performance per Dollar	38.3+149%	15.4
Release Date	2015	2019

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