Core i5-680 vs FX-4100

Core i5-680 vs FX-4100 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-680

2 / 4

2,620

0.0%

2,630

+0.4%

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 i5-680 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 i5-680 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 i5-680

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 95W, a 22W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while FX-4100 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,620 vs 2,630).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 22.9 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $179 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 156.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.9 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌30.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 73W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-680 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4100 better than Core i5-680?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-680 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-4100 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. FX-4100 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 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 $179 cheaper on MSRP at $115 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-680 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 156.6% better value on MSRP (22.9 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-4100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010), 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-680 vs FX-4100 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-680

The Core i5-680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 April 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,620 points. Launch price was $272.

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 i5-680 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-4100 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Core i5-680 versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 — a 1.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-680 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-680 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-4100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-680 scores 2,620 against the FX-4100's 2,630 — a 0.4% lead for the FX-4100. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-680 vs 8192 kB on the FX-4100.

Feature	Core i5-680	FX-4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.86 GHz+2%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8192 kB+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	2,620	2,630

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-680 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-4100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-680	FX-4100
Socket	LGA1156	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-680) / not specified (FX-4100). The Core i5-680 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the FX-4100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-680 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-680	FX-4100
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-680 was priced at $294, while the FX-4100 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($294 vs $115), FX-4100 was $179 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-680 delivers 8.9 pts/$ vs 22.9 pts/$ for the FX-4100 — making the FX-4100 the 87.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-680	FX-4100
MSRP	$294	$115-61%
Performance per Dollar	8.9	22.9+157%
Release Date	2010	2011

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