Atom x7213RE vs Core i3-4100M

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.

Atom x7213RE vs Core i3-4100M 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.

Atom x7213RE vs Core i3-4100M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x7213RE

2024

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 9W instead of 512W, a 503W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of PGA946 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i3-4100M

2013

Why buy it

✅77.8% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 9) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,531 vs 2,538).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Atom x7213RE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌5588.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 9W.
❌Older platform position on PGA946, while Atom x7213RE moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x7213RE better than Core i3-4100M?

Yes. Atom x7213RE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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, Atom x7213RE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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, Atom x7213RE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Atom x7213RE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom x7213RE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4100M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Atom x7213RE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of PGA946, 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Atom x7213RE vs Core i3-4100M Technical Specifications

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

Atom x7213RE

The Atom x7213RE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,538 points. Launch price was $42.

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Atom x7213RE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4100M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7213RE versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M — a 30.5% clock advantage for the Atom x7213RE (base: 2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Atom x7213RE uses the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i3-4100M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x7213RE scores 2,538 against the Core i3-4100M's 2,531 — a 0.3% lead for the Atom x7213RE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7213RE vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M.

Feature	Atom x7213RE	Core i3-4100M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+36%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+300%	512 kB
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Amston Lake (2024−2025)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,538	2,531

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x7213RE uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i3-4100M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7213RE versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100M — the Atom x7213RE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4100M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x7213RE) vs 2 (Core i3-4100M). PCIe lanes: 9 (Atom x7213RE) vs 16 (Core i3-4100M) — the Core i3-4100M offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Atom x7213RE	Core i3-4100M
Socket	FCBGA1264	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+200%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	9	16+78%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x7213RE) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (16EU) (Atom x7213RE) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i3-4100M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.