Core i3-4170T vs FX-4170

Core i3-4170T vs FX-4170 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4170T

2 / 4

3,133

+0.4%

3,121

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 i3-4170T 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 i3-4170T 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 i3-4170T

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.8 vs 19.9 PassMark/$ ($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.

Trade-offs

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

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,121 vs 3,133).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.9 vs 26.8 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4170T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4170T.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4170 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4170T pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. FX-4170 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 i3-4170T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4170T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4170T comes in $40 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-4170 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 34.7% better value on MSRP (26.8 vs 19.9 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4170T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i3-4170T vs FX-4170 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4170T

The Core i3-4170T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,133 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i3-4170T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4170 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-4170T versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 — a 29.3% clock advantage for the FX-4170 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i3-4170T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4170 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4170T scores 3,133 against the FX-4170's 3,121 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-4170T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4170T vs 8192 kB on the FX-4170.

Feature	Core i3-4170T	FX-4170
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	4.3 GHz+34%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
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	3,133	3,121
Geekbench 6 Single	800	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,600	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4170T 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 i3-4170T	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, VT-d (Core i3-4170T) / not specified (FX-4170). The Core i3-4170T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the FX-4170 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4170T targets Low Power Desktop.

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

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4170T was priced at $117, while the FX-4170 came in at $157. On launch pricing ($117 vs $157), Core i3-4170T was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4170T delivers 26.8 pts/$ vs 19.9 pts/$ for the FX-4170 — making the Core i3-4170T the 29.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4170T	FX-4170
MSRP	$117-25%	$157
Performance per Dollar	26.8+35%	19.9
Release Date	2015	2012

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