Core i5-4210H vs FX-4170

Core i5-4210H vs FX-4170 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4210H

2 / 4

3,084

0.0%

Core i5-520M

Pentium G3258

Pentium G4500T

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

3,121

+1.2%

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 i5-4210H vs FX-4170 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 i5-4210H vs FX-4170: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4210H

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while FX-4170 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4170 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,084 vs 3,121).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌309.6% higher power demand at 512W vs 125W.

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 125W instead of 512W, a 387W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $157 MSRP, while Core i5-4210H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4210H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4170 better than Core i5-4210H?

Yes. FX-4170 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.6% 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-4170 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.6% 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-4170 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-4170 is the better buy right now. FX-4170 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $157 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4210H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4210H vs FX-4170 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4210H

The Core i5-4210H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,084 points. Launch price was $225.

FX-4170

The FX-4170 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,121 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4210H packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4170 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-4210H versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 — a 20.5% clock advantage for the FX-4170 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i5-4210H uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-4170 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4210H scores 3,084 against the FX-4170's 3,121 — a 1.2% lead for the FX-4170. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4210H vs 8192 kB on the FX-4170.

Feature	Core i5-4210H	FX-4170
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.3 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	4.2 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8192 kB+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB	4096 kB+700%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	3,084	3,121+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,020	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,916	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4210H uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-4170 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4210H	FX-4170
Socket	BGA1364	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i5-4210H) / not specified (FX-4170). The Core i5-4210H includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the FX-4170 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4210H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210H rivals Ryzen 5 3550H.