
Core i3-3110M vs Athlon 64 FX-74

Core i3-3110M

Athlon 64 FX-74
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-3110M is positioned at rank 917 and the Athlon 64 FX-74 is on rank 1087, so the Core i3-3110M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3110M
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-74
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 FX-74 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 FX-74 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) |
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 Core i3-3110M and Athlon 64 FX-74

Core i3-3110M
The Core i3-3110M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,656 points. Launch price was $225.

Athlon 64 FX-74
The Athlon 64 FX-74 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Novembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $500.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3110M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon 64 FX-74's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-3110M versus 3 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-74 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-74. The Core i3-3110M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3110M scores 1,656 against the Athlon 64 FX-74's 1,658 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon 64 FX-74. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 424 vs 400, a 5.8% lead for the Core i3-3110M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 846 vs 750 (12% advantage for the Core i3-3110M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3110M vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-74.
| Feature | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 FX-74 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3 GHz+25% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-76% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Windsor (2006−2007) |
| PassMark | 1,656 | 1,658 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 424+6% | 400 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 846+13% | 750 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3110M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 uses F (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3110M versus DDR2 on the Athlon 64 FX-74 — the Core i3-3110M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3110M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i3-3110M) and nForce 680a (Athlon 64 FX-74).
| Feature | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 FX-74 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | F |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600+50% | DDR2 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon 64 FX-74 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-3110M) vs AMD-V (Athlon 64 FX-74). The Core i3-3110M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Athlon 64 FX-74 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3110M targets Legacy Laptop, Athlon 64 FX-74 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3110M rivals AMD A8-4500M; Athlon 64 FX-74 rivals Pentium Extreme Edition 965.
| Feature | Core i3-3110M | Athlon 64 FX-74 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | Budget |
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