FX-4300 vs Pentium Silver

AMD

FX-4300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 4 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Pentium Silver

βˆ’W2020

FX-4300 vs Pentium Silver 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-4300 vs Pentium Silver 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-4300 vs Pentium Silver: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-4300

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Silver across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $122 MSRP, while Pentium Silver mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Silver

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (2,989 vs 2,995).

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4300 better than Pentium Silver?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Silver is ahead with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, FX-4300 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-4300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
FX-4300 is the better buy right now. FX-4300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $122 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium Silver is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium Silver makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

FX-4300 vs Pentium Silver Technical Specifications

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

AMD

FX-4300

The FX-4300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,995 points. Launch price was $122.

Intel

Pentium Silver

The Pentium Silver is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 2,989 points. Launch price was $69.

⚑

Processing Power

The FX-4300 is built on the Vishera (2012βˆ’2015) architecture. In PassMark, the FX-4300 scores 2,995 against the Pentium Silver's 2,989 β€” a 0.2% lead for the FX-4300.

FeatureFX-4300Pentium Silver
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
β€”
Boost Clock
4 GHz
β€”
Base Clock
3.8 GHz
β€”
L2 Cache
4096 kB
β€”
Process
32 nm
β€”
Architecture
Vishera (2012βˆ’2015)
β€”
PassMark
2,995
2,989