Core i7-870 vs FX-4350

Core i7-870 vs FX-4350 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-870

4 / 8

3,164

0.0%

Pentium Dual Core T2390

3,184

+0.6%

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 i7-870 vs FX-4350 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 i7-870 vs FX-4350: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-870

2009

Why buy it

✅+19.6% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (476 vs 504).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.5 vs 26.1 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).

FX-4350

2013

Why buy it

✅+5.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $178 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 147.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.1 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,289 vs 1,541).
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4350 better than Core i7-870?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4350 is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-870 pulls ahead with 19.6% better Geekbench multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 19.6% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

FX-4350 is the better buy right now. FX-4350 comes in $178 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-870 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 19.6% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 147.5% better value on MSRP (26.1 vs 10.5 PassMark/$), 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-4350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-870 vs FX-4350 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-870

The Core i7-870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,164 points. Launch price was $305.

FX-4350

The FX-4350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,184 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-870 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the FX-4350's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870 versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4350 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the FX-4350 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i7-870 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the FX-4350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870 scores 3,164 against the FX-4350's 3,184 — a 0.6% lead for the FX-4350. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 476 vs 504, a 5.7% lead for the FX-4350 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,541 vs 1,289 (17.8% advantage for the Core i7-870).

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-4350
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.3 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.93 GHz	4.2 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	3,164	3,184
Geekbench 6 Single	476	504+6%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,541+20%	1,289

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-4350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-870 versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-4350 — the FX-4350 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The FX-4350 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-870) and AMD 970,990X,990FX (FX-4350).

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-4350
Socket	LGA1156	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1866+40%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the FX-4350 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-870) vs AMD-V (FX-4350). Primary use case: Core i7-870 targets Legacy Desktop, FX-4350 targets Gaming.

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-4350
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-870 was priced at $300, while the FX-4350 came in at $122. On launch pricing ($300 vs $122), FX-4350 was $178 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-870 delivers 10.5 pts/$ vs 26.1 pts/$ for the FX-4350 — making the FX-4350 the 84.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-870	FX-4350
MSRP	$300	$122-59%
Performance per Dollar	10.5	26.1+149%
Release Date	2009	2013

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