Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X3 N870

Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X3 N870 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G3430

2 / 2

2,127

0.0%

2,145

+0.8%

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.

Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X3 N870 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.

Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X3 N870: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G3430

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,127 vs 2,145).
❌Launch MSRP is still $116 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N870 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3500% higher power demand at 54W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 N870

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 54W, a 53W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3430 better than Phenom II X3 N870?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3430 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 N870 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 N870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Pentium G3430 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3430 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $116 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X3 N870 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3430 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X3 N870 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G3430

The Pentium G3430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,127 points. Launch price was $116.

Phenom II X3 N870

The Phenom II X3 N870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,145 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G3430 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N870 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 N870 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3430 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N870 — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3430. The Pentium G3430 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N870 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3430 scores 2,127 against the Phenom II X3 N870's 2,145 — a 0.8% lead for the Phenom II X3 N870.

Feature	Pentium G3430	Phenom II X3 N870
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+43%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.5 MB+500%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,127	2,145

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G3430 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 N870 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.