Core i3-4130T vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE

Core i3-4130T vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4130T

2 / 4

2,876

+1.3%

2,839

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 i3-4130T vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE 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 i3-4130T vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4130T

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while Phenom II X2 X640 BE needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X2 X640 BE.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $124 MSRP, while Phenom II X2 X640 BE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 X640 BE

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,839 vs 2,876).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4130T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4130T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4130T better than Phenom II X2 X640 BE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X2 X640 BE is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4130T pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4130T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4130T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4130T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $124 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X2 X640 BE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4130T 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 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4130T vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4130T

The Core i3-4130T 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,876 points. Launch price was $270.

Phenom II X2 X640 BE

The Phenom II X2 X640 BE 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: 3.2 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: 2,839 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4130T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Phenom II X2 X640 BE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-4130T versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X2 X640 BE — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 X640 BE. The Core i3-4130T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4130T scores 2,876 against the Phenom II X2 X640 BE's 2,839 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-4130T.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Phenom II X2 X640 BE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,876+1%	2,839
Geekbench 6 Single	890	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4130T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Phenom II X2 X640 BE
Socket	LGA1150	S1
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4130T) / not specified (Phenom II X2 X640 BE). The Core i3-4130T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130T rivals A8-7600.