Core i3-4100E vs Phenom II X3 B77

CPU

GPU

Core i3-4100E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013

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Phenom II X3 B77

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010

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Core i3-4100E vs Phenom II X3 B77 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4100E

2 / 4

1,848

+0.2%

1,844

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 i3-4100E vs Phenom II X3 B77 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 i3-4100E vs Phenom II X3 B77: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4100E

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $56 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.2 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Phenom II X3 B77 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Phenom II X3 B77

2010

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,844 vs 1,848).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 8.2 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4100E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4100E better than Phenom II X3 B77?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X3 B77 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 i3-4100E pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Phenom II X3 B77 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 i3-4100E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4100E is the better buy right now. Core i3-4100E comes in $56 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X3 B77 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.2% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 6.6 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4100E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) 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 i3-4100E vs Phenom II X3 B77 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) 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: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

Phenom II X3 B77

The Phenom II X3 B77 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 1,844 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4100E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 B77 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 B77 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B77 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 B77 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-4100E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X3 B77 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100E scores 1,848 against the Phenom II X3 B77's 1,844 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4100E. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4100E vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 B77.

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Phenom II X3 B77
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.2 GHz+33%
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 (2013−2015)	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,848	1,844
Geekbench 6 Single	550	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 B77 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100E versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X3 B77 — the Core i3-4100E supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Phenom II X3 B77 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-4100E) vs 0 (Phenom II X3 B77) — the Core i3-4100E offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: QM87,HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4100E) and AM3 (Phenom II X3 B77).

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Phenom II X3 B77
Socket	BGA1364	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E) / not specified (Phenom II X3 B77). The Core i3-4100E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Phenom II X3 B77 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Phenom II X3 B77
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4100E was priced at $225, while the Phenom II X3 B77 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($225 vs $281), Core i3-4100E was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4100E delivers 8.2 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 B77 — making the Core i3-4100E the 22.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Phenom II X3 B77
MSRP	$225-20%	$281
Performance per Dollar	8.2+24%	6.6
Release Date	2013	2010

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