Phenom II X3 N870 vs Pentium N4200

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Phenom II X3 N870

3 / 3

2,145

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Pentium N4200

4 / 4

2,158

+0.6%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Phenom II X3 N870 is positioned at rank 250 and the Pentium N4200 is on rank 1012, so the Phenom II X3 N870 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 N870

#238

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

410%

#239

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

404%

#240

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

371%

#241

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

370%

#242

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

366%

#244

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

354%

#245

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

339%

#246

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

338%

#247

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

329%

#250

Phenom II X3 N870

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium N4200

#1000

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2190%

#1001

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2157%

#1002

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1981%

#1003

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1972%

#1004

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1954%

#1006

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1887%

#1007

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1809%

#1008

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1806%

#1009

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1757%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

100%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

100%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

99%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

98%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

98%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

97%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

97%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

96%

#1020

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

95%

#1021

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

95%

#1022

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

95%

#1023

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

94%

#1025

Core i5-4200M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

93%

#1026

Celeron 1000M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium N4200 (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Phenom II X3 N870	Pentium N4200
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30.89)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Phenom II X3 N870 (2010) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Phenom II X3 N870	Pentium N4200
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30.89)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Phenom II X3 N870 Benchmark Check

Pentium N4200 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X3 N870 and Pentium N4200

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.

Pentium N4200

The Pentium N4200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,158 points. Launch price was $161.

⚡

Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 N870 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Pentium N4200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N4200 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N870 versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 8.3% clock advantage for the Pentium N4200. The Phenom II X3 N870 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 N870 scores 2,145 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Phenom II X3 N870	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	3 / 3	4 / 4+33%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	—	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	—	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	2 MB+33%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Champlain (2010−2011)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,145	2,158

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 N870 uses the S1g4 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.