Core i3-10325 vs FX-9590

Core i3-10325 vs FX-9590 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-10325

4 / 8

10,291

+1.0%

10,194

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

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.

Core i3-10325 vs FX-9590 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.

Core i3-10325 vs FX-9590: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10325

2021

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $196 less on MSRP ($154 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 129.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.8 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($154 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 220W, a 155W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,194 vs 10,291).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.1 vs 66.8 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $154 MSRP).
❌238.5% higher power demand at 220W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10325 better than FX-9590?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-9590 is ahead with a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10325 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-10325 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i3-10325 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10325 comes in $196 cheaper on MSRP at $154 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-9590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 129.4% better value on MSRP (66.8 vs 29.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-10325 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-10325 vs FX-9590 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10325

The Core i3-10325 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,291 points. Launch price was $154.

FX-9590

The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-10325 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-9590 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-9590 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-10325 versus 5 GHz on the FX-9590 — a 6.2% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 4.7 GHz). The Core i3-10325 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-9590 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10325 scores 10,291 against the FX-9590's 10,194 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-10325.

Feature	Core i3-10325	FX-9590
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz	5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	4.7 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	10,291	10,194

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10325 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-9590 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10325	FX-9590
Socket	LGA1200	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10325 was priced at $154, while the FX-9590 came in at $350. On launch pricing ($154 vs $350), Core i3-10325 was $196 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10325 delivers 66.8 pts/$ vs 29.1 pts/$ for the FX-9590 — making the Core i3-10325 the 78.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10325	FX-9590
MSRP	$154-56%	$350
Performance per Dollar	66.8+130%	29.1
Release Date	2021	2013

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