Core i3-4130 vs FX-4150

Core i3-4130 vs FX-4150 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4130

2 / 4

3,334

+0.2%

3,327

0.0%

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 i3-4130 vs FX-4150 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 i3-4130 vs FX-4150: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4130

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $137 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.5 vs 24.3 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $137 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-4150

2012

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,327 vs 3,334).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.3 vs 28.5 PassMark/$ ($137 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4130 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4130 better than FX-4150?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4150 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4130 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. FX-4150 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 i3-4130 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 i3-4130 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4130 comes in $20 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $137 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-4150 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.3% better value on MSRP (28.5 vs 24.3 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4130 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) 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 i3-4130 vs FX-4150 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4130

The Core i3-4130 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,334 points. Launch price was $120.

FX-4150

The FX-4150 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,327 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-4130 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4150 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4150 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-4130 versus 4 GHz on the FX-4150 — a 16.2% clock advantage for the FX-4150 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-4130 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4150 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4130 scores 3,334 against the FX-4150's 3,327 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4130. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4130 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-4150.

Feature	Core i3-4130	FX-4150
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,334	3,327
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,036	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,046	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4130 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4150 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4130	FX-4150
Socket	LGA1150	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	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-4130) / not specified (FX-4150). The Core i3-4130 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the FX-4150 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130 rivals FX-4130.

Feature	Core i3-4130	FX-4150
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4130 was priced at $117, while the FX-4150 came in at $137. On launch pricing ($117 vs $137), Core i3-4130 was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4130 delivers 28.5 pts/$ vs 24.3 pts/$ for the FX-4150 — making the Core i3-4130 the 16% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4130	FX-4150
MSRP	$117-15%	$137
Performance per Dollar	28.5+17%	24.3
Release Date	2013	2012

Search Core i3-4130 on Amazon

Search FX-4150 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.