Athlon X4 870K vs Core i3-9100HL
Athlon X4 870K
Core i3-9100HL
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon X4 870K is positioned at rank #515 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 870K
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100HL
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X4 870K | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($35) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X4 870K | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+185%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($35) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon X4 870K and Core i3-9100HL
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+1500% | 256K (per core) |
| 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 200% 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+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| 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
The Athlon X4 870K launched at $90 MSRP, while the Core i3-9100HL debuted at $225. At current prices ($35 vs $100), the Athlon X4 870K is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X4 870K delivers 98.4 pts/$ vs 34.5 pts/$ for the Core i3-9100HL — making the Athlon X4 870K the 96.1% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X4 870K | Core i3-9100HL |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $90-60% | $225 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $35-65% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 98.4+185% | 34.5 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2019 |
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