Core i3-4100M vs Phenom II X2 N620

Core i3-4100M vs Phenom II X2 N620 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4100M

2 / 4

2,531

+1.1%

2,503

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 i3-4100M vs Phenom II X2 N620 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 i3-4100M vs Phenom II X2 N620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4100M

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Phenom II X2 N620 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Phenom II X2 N620 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 N620

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,503 vs 2,531).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4100M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4100M better than Phenom II X2 N620?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X2 N620 is ahead with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4100M pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4100M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4100M is the better buy right now. Core i3-4100M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X2 N620 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4100M 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 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4100M vs Phenom II X2 N620 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

Phenom II X2 N620

The Phenom II X2 N620 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,503 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4100M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Phenom II X2 N620's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X2 N620 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 N620. The Core i3-4100M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X2 N620 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100M scores 2,531 against the Phenom II X2 N620's 2,503 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-4100M.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Phenom II X2 N620
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,531+1%	2,503

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X2 N620 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4100M	Phenom II X2 N620
Socket	PGA946	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M) / not specified (Phenom II X2 N620). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Phenom II X2 N620 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.