Core i3-7102E vs FX-4100

Core i3-7102E vs FX-4100 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-7102E

2 / 4

2,599

0.0%

Celeron J4025

Core 2 Duo T5750

Pentium Dual Core T3400

2,630

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

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 i3-7102E vs FX-4100 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 i3-7102E vs FX-4100: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-7102E

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while FX-4100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,599 vs 2,630).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.6 vs 22.9 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.9 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-7102E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4100 better than Core i3-7102E?

Yes. FX-4100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-4100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% 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-4100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% 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-4100 is the better buy right now. FX-4100 comes in $110 cheaper on MSRP at $115 MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 98.0% better value on MSRP (22.9 vs 11.6 PassMark/$), 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 i3-7102E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7102E vs FX-4100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7102E

The Core i3-7102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,599 points. Launch price was $225.

FX-4100

The FX-4100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,630 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-7102E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-7102E versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 — a 57.6% clock advantage for the FX-4100. The Core i3-7102E uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the FX-4100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7102E scores 2,599 against the FX-4100's 2,630 — a 1.2% lead for the FX-4100. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7102E vs 8192 kB on the FX-4100.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	FX-4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	3.8 GHz+81%
Base Clock	—	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	4096 kB+700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	2,599	2,630+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	659	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,962	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-7102E) / not specified (FX-4100). The Core i3-7102E includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the FX-4100 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	FX-4100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-7102E was priced at $225, while the FX-4100 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($225 vs $115), FX-4100 was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7102E delivers 11.6 pts/$ vs 22.9 pts/$ for the FX-4100 — making the FX-4100 the 65.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-7102E	FX-4100
MSRP	$225	$115-49%
Performance per Dollar	11.6	22.9+97%
Release Date	2017	2011

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