Core i3-7100U vs FX-4130
Core i3-7100U
FX-4130
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-7100U is positioned at rank 752 and the FX-4130 is on rank 637, so the FX-4130 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7100U
Performance Per Dollar FX-4130
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7100U | FX-4130 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7100U | FX-4130 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7100U and FX-4130
Core i3-7100U
The Core i3-7100U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,721 points. Launch price was $281.
FX-4130
The FX-4130 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 August 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 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,718 points. Launch price was $112.
Processing Power
The Core i3-7100U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4130 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4130 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-7100U versus 3.9 GHz on the FX-4130 — a 47.6% clock advantage for the FX-4130 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i3-7100U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4130 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7100U scores 2,721 against the FX-4130's 2,718 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7100U.
| Feature | Core i3-7100U | FX-4130 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.9 GHz+63% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz+58% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 4096 kB+700% |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Zambezi (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 2,721 | 2,718 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 841 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-7100U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4130 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-7100U | FX-4130 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7100U) / not specified (FX-4130). The Core i3-7100U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 620), while the FX-4130 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7100U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-7100U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Core i3-7100U | FX-4130 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 620 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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