Core i3-4000M vs Phenom II X3 B75

Intel

Core i3-4000M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013
VS
AMD

Phenom II X3 B75

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3 GHz2009

Core i3-4000M vs Phenom II X3 B75 Performance Spectrum

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 i3-4000M vs Phenom II X3 B75 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 i3-4000M vs Phenom II X3 B75: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4000M

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
  • ❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom II X3 B75

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,783 vs 1,797).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4000M better than Phenom II X3 B75?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X3 B75 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4000M pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Phenom II X3 B75 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4000M 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 i3-4000M still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-4000M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i3-4000M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4000M vs Phenom II X3 B75 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-4000M

The Core i3-4000M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) 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: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,797 points. Launch price was $225.

AMD

Phenom II X3 B75

The Phenom II X3 B75 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009βˆ’2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,783 points. Launch price was $149.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i3-4000M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 B75 offers 3 cores / 3 threads β€” the Phenom II X3 B75 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4000M versus 3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B75 β€” a 22.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 B75 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-4000M uses the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X3 B75 uses Heka (2009βˆ’2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4000M scores 1,797 against the Phenom II X3 B75's 1,783 β€” a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-4000M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4000M vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 B75.

FeatureCore i3-4000MPhenom II X3 B75
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
3 GHz+25%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
3 GHz+25%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
Heka (2009βˆ’2010)
PassMark
1,797
1,783
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4000M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 B75 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-4000MPhenom II X3 B75
Socket
PGA946
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0