Core i3-3250T vs FX-4100

Core i3-3250T vs FX-4100 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-3250T

2 / 4

2,650

+0.8%

Celeron N2810

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2,630

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 i3-3250T vs FX-4100 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 i3-3250T vs FX-4100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-3250T

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2500, while FX-4100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.2 vs 22.9 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $23 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.9 vs 19.2 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,630 vs 2,650).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3250T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3250T better than FX-4100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4100 is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3250T pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. FX-4100 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3250T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-3250T is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-3250T comes in 20.0% more expensive on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $115 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. FX-4100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 19.1% better value on paper (22.9 vs 19.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

Core i3-3250T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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.

Core i3-3250T vs FX-4100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3250T

The Core i3-3250T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.

FX-4100

The FX-4100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,630 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3250T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i3-3250T versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the FX-4100 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i3-3250T uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3250T scores 2,650 against the FX-4100's 2,630 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-3250T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250T vs 8192 kB on the FX-4100.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	FX-4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.8 GHz+27%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	2,650	2,630

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3250T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	FX-4100
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

The Core i3-3250T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the FX-4100 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	FX-4100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2500	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-3250T was priced at $138, while the FX-4100 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($138 vs $115), FX-4100 was $23 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3250T delivers 19.2 pts/$ vs 22.9 pts/$ for the FX-4100 — making the FX-4100 the 17.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-3250T	FX-4100
MSRP	$138	$115-17%
Performance per Dollar	19.2	22.9+19%
Release Date	2013	2011

Search Core i3-3250T on Amazon

Search FX-4100 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.