Core i5-3610ME vs FX-4100

Core i5-3610ME vs FX-4100 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3610ME

2 / 4

2,652

+0.8%

Pentium G860

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 i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while FX-4100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.6 vs 22.9 PassMark/$ ($276 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $161 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $276 MSRP).
✅Delivers 138.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.9 vs 9.6 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $276 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,630 vs 2,652).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3610ME can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3610ME better than FX-4100?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4100 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3610ME pulls ahead with 0.8% 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 i5-3610ME is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3610ME is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-3610ME comes in 140.0% more expensive on MSRP at $276 MSRP versus $115 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. FX-4100 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 138.0% better value on paper (22.9 vs 9.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME vs FX-4100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3610ME

The Core i5-3610ME 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,652 points. Launch price was $69.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3610ME 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 i5-3610ME versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the FX-4100 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3610ME uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3610ME scores 2,652 against the FX-4100's 2,630 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-3610ME. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3610ME vs 8192 kB on the FX-4100.

Feature	Core i5-3610ME	FX-4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	2,652	2,630
Geekbench 6 Single	585	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3610ME uses the G2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3610ME	FX-4100
Socket	G2	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3610ME) / not specified (FX-4100). The Core i5-3610ME includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the FX-4100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3610ME targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-3610ME rivals Embedded R-Series.

Feature	Core i5-3610ME	FX-4100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3610ME was priced at $276, while the FX-4100 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($276 vs $115), FX-4100 was $161 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3610ME delivers 9.6 pts/$ vs 22.9 pts/$ for the FX-4100 — making the FX-4100 the 81.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3610ME	FX-4100
MSRP	$276	$115-58%
Performance per Dollar	9.6	22.9+139%
Release Date	2012	2011

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