Core i5-3320M vs FX-4100

Core i5-3320M vs FX-4100 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3320M

2 / 4

2,660

+1.1%

Core Duo T2400

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2,630

0.0%

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 i5-3320M 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 i5-3320M 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 i5-3320M

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while FX-4100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 22.9 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Delivers 93.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.9 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,630 vs 2,660).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3320M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4100 better than Core i5-3320M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4100 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3320M pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. FX-4100 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 i5-3320M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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 $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3320M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.1% better PassMark. It is also 93.4% better value on MSRP (22.9 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3320M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) 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 i5-3320M vs FX-4100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3320M

The Core i5-3320M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,660 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 i5-3320M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3320M versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the FX-4100 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3320M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3320M scores 2,660 against the FX-4100's 2,630 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-3320M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3320M vs 8192 kB on the FX-4100.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	FX-4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.6 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	2,660+1%	2,630

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3320M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	FX-4100
Socket	PGA988	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-3320M) / not specified (FX-4100). The Core i5-3320M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-4100 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3320M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	FX-4100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3320M was priced at $225, while the FX-4100 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($225 vs $115), FX-4100 was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3320M delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 22.9 pts/$ for the FX-4100 — making the FX-4100 the 63.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3320M	FX-4100
MSRP	$225	$115-49%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	22.9+94%
Release Date	2012	2011

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