FX-4100 vs Pentium B940

FX-4100 vs Pentium B940 Performance Spectrum

FX-4100

4 / 4

2,630

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium B940

2 / 2

2,610

0.0%

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.

FX-4100 vs Pentium B940 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.

FX-4100 vs Pentium B940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-4100

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $19 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.9 vs 19.5 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4100 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,610 vs 2,630).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.5 vs 22.9 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4100 better than Pentium B940?

Yes. FX-4100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-4100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% 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-4100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 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 $19 cheaper on MSRP at $115 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 17.4% better value on MSRP (22.9 vs 19.5 PassMark/$), 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-4100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-4100 vs Pentium B940 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The FX-4100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium B940 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the FX-4100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the FX-4100 versus 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 — a 62.1% clock advantage for the FX-4100 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The FX-4100 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium B940 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-4100 scores 2,630 against the Pentium B940's 2,610 — a 0.8% lead for the FX-4100. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-4100 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940.

Feature	FX-4100	Pentium B940
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+90%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+80%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB+300%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4096 kB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Zambezi (2011−2012)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,630	2,610

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Memory & Platform

The FX-4100 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium B940 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-4100	Pentium B940
Socket	AM3+	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-4100 was priced at $115, while the Pentium B940 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($115 vs $134), FX-4100 was $19 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-4100 delivers 22.9 pts/$ vs 19.5 pts/$ for the Pentium B940 — making the FX-4100 the 16% better value option.

Feature	FX-4100	Pentium B940
MSRP	$115-14%	$134
Performance per Dollar	22.9+17%	19.5
Release Date	2011	2011

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