FX-4170 vs Pentium Gold G6405T

AMD

FX-4170

4 Cores4 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2012
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Pentium Gold G6405T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2021
Similar parts
·······

FX-4170 vs Pentium Gold G6405T Performance Spectrum

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-4170 vs Pentium Gold G6405T 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-4170 vs Pentium Gold G6405T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-4170

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $157 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G6405T mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 257.1% higher power demand at 125W vs 35W.

Pentium Gold G6405T

2021

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 125W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4170 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (3,095 vs 3,121).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4170 better than Pentium Gold G6405T?
Yes. FX-4170 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% 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 6.8% 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 0.8% 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-4170 is the better buy right now. FX-4170 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $157 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6405T can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium Gold G6405T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-4170 vs Pentium Gold G6405T Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

Intel

Pentium Gold G6405T

The Pentium Gold G6405T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,095 points. Launch price was $64.

Processing Power

The FX-4170 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6405T offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the FX-4170 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the FX-4170 versus 3.5 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6405T — a 20.5% clock advantage for the FX-4170 (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The FX-4170 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6405T uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the FX-4170 scores 3,121 against the Pentium Gold G6405T's 3,095 — a 0.8% lead for the FX-4170. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-4170 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6405T.

FeatureFX-4170Pentium Gold G6405T
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
4.3 GHz+23%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
4.2 GHz+20%
3.5 GHz
L3 Cache
8192 kB+100%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
4096 kB+1500%
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Zambezi (2011−2012)
Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark
3,121
3,095
🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-4170 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G6405T uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureFX-4170Pentium Gold G6405T
Socket
AM3+
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%