Core i3-4160T vs FX-4170

Core i3-4160T vs FX-4170 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4160T

2 / 4

3,087

0.0%

Core i5-520M

Core i3-2130

Pentium G4500T

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

3,121

+1.1%

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 i3-4160T vs FX-4170 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 i3-4160T vs FX-4170: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4160T

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.4 vs 19.9 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4400, while FX-4170 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4170 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,087 vs 3,121).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.9 vs 26.4 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4160T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4160T.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4170 better than Core i3-4160T?

Yes. FX-4170 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-4170 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-4170 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

FX-4170 is still the much better call for a fresh build. FX-4170 comes in 34.2% more expensive on MSRP at $157 MSRP versus $117 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-4160T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 32.7% better value on paper (26.4 vs 19.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4160T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-4160T vs FX-4170 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4160T

The Core i3-4160T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 3,087 points. Launch price was $142.

FX-4170

The FX-4170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,121 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-4160T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4170 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-4160T versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 — a 32.4% clock advantage for the FX-4170 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i3-4160T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4170 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4160T scores 3,087 against the FX-4170's 3,121 — a 1.1% lead for the FX-4170. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4160T vs 8192 kB on the FX-4170.

Feature	Core i3-4160T	FX-4170
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.3 GHz+39%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+35%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,087	3,121+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	900	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4160T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4170 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4160T	FX-4170
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, EPT (Core i3-4160T) / not specified (FX-4170). The Core i3-4160T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the FX-4170 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4160T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4160T rivals A10-7800.

Feature	Core i3-4160T	FX-4170
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	—
Target Use	Low Power Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4160T was priced at $117, while the FX-4170 came in at $157. On launch pricing ($117 vs $157), Core i3-4160T was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4160T delivers 26.4 pts/$ vs 19.9 pts/$ for the FX-4170 — making the Core i3-4160T the 28.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4160T	FX-4170
MSRP	$117-25%	$157
Performance per Dollar	26.4+33%	19.9
Release Date	2014	2012

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