Core i3-9100HL vs Athlon X4 870K
Core i3-9100HL
Athlon X4 870K
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-9100HL
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X4 870K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-9100HL | Athlon X4 870K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Godaveri (2014−2016) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-9100HL | Athlon X4 870K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+185%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
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 i3-9100HL and Athlon X4 870K
Core i3-9100HL
The Core i3-9100HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,454 points. Launch price was $69.
Athlon X4 870K
The Athlon X4 870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Godaveri (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 3,443 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core i3-9100HL and Athlon X4 870K share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-9100HL versus 4.1 GHz on the Athlon X4 870K — a 34.3% clock advantage for the Athlon X4 870K (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i3-9100HL uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Athlon X4 870K uses Godaveri (2014−2016) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9100HL scores 3,454 against the Athlon X4 870K's 3,443 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-9100HL.
| Feature | Core i3-9100HL | Athlon X4 870K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz | 4.1 GHz+41% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3.9 GHz+144% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 4 MB+1500% |
| Process | 14 nm-50% | 28 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Godaveri (2014−2016) |
| PassMark | 3,454 | 3,443 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,037 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,373 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-9100HL uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Athlon X4 870K uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i3-9100HL versus DDR3-2133 on the Athlon X4 870K — the Core i3-9100HL supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 Series (Core i3-9100HL) and AMD FM2+ (Athlon X4 870K).
| Feature | Core i3-9100HL | Athlon X4 870K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | FM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4 2666 MHz+33% | DDR3-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i3-9100HL) / not specified (Athlon X4 870K). The Core i3-9100HL includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Athlon X4 870K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9100HL targets Embedded.
| Feature | Core i3-9100HL | Athlon X4 870K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-9100HL launched at $225 MSRP, while the Athlon X4 870K debuted at $90. At current prices ($100 vs $35), the Athlon X4 870K is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-9100HL delivers 34.5 pts/$ vs 98.4 pts/$ for the Athlon X4 870K — making the Athlon X4 870K the 96.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-9100HL | Athlon X4 870K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $90-60% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $35-65% |
| Performance per Dollar | 34.5 | 98.4+185% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2015 |
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