Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X4 910e

Intel

Pentium G3430

2 Cores2 Thrd54 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2013
Similar parts
·······
VS
AMD

Phenom II X4 910e

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······

Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X4 910e 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.

Pentium G3430 vs Phenom II X4 910e 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 X4 910e: 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

  • Costs $41 less on MSRP ($116 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
  • Delivers 34.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.3 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($116 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).
  • Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,127 vs 2,148).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Phenom II X4 910e

2010

Why buy it

  • +1% higher PassMark.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.7 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $116 MSRP).
  • 20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3430 better than Phenom II X4 910e?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3430 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 910e pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 910e also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 910e is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium G3430 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3430 comes in $41 cheaper on MSRP at $116 MSRP versus $157 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 910e is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 34.0% better value on MSRP (18.3 vs 13.7 PassMark/$), 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 X4 910e Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Phenom II X4 910e

The Phenom II X4 910e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,148 points. Launch price was $157.

Processing Power

The Pentium G3430 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 910e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 910e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3430 versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 910e — a 23.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G3430 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Pentium G3430 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3430 scores 2,127 against the Phenom II X4 910e's 2,148 — a 1% lead for the Phenom II X4 910e. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3430 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 910e.

FeaturePentium G3430Phenom II X4 910e
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz+27%
2.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz+27%
2.6 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark
2,127
2,148
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium G3430 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium G3430Phenom II X4 910e
Socket
LGA1150
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G3430) / AMD-V (Phenom II X4 910e). Primary use case: Phenom II X4 910e targets Desktop.

FeaturePentium G3430Phenom II X4 910e
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G3430 was priced at $116, while the Phenom II X4 910e came in at $157. On launch pricing ($116 vs $157), Pentium G3430 was $41 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G3430 delivers 18.3 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 910e — making the Pentium G3430 the 29.1% better value option.

FeaturePentium G3430Phenom II X4 910e
MSRP
$116-26%
$157
Performance per Dollar
18.3+34%
13.7
Release Date
2013
2010

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.