Core i3-4340 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

Core i3-4340 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Performance Spectrum

Core i3-4340

2 / 4

3,490

0.0%

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

4 / 4

3,489

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 i3-4340 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition 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 i3-4340 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4340

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 125W, a 71W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

2009

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4340 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,489 vs 3,490).
❌131.5% higher power demand at 125W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4340 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4340.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4340 better than Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition?

Yes. Core i3-4340 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4340 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.8% 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, Core i3-4340 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4340 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4340 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $149 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4340 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) 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 i3-4340 vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4340

The Core i3-4340 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 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 3,490 points. Launch price was $210.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,489 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4340 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i3-4340 versus 2 GHz on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition — a 57.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4340. The Core i3-4340 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4340 scores 3,490 against the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition's 3,489 — a 0% lead for the Core i3-4340. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4340 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition.

Feature	Core i3-4340	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	3,490	3,489
Geekbench 6 Single	1,024	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4340 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4340	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4340) / not specified (Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition). The Core i3-4340 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4340 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4340 rivals FX-6350.