🚀 CPU Launch

Intel Core i3-4170 vs AMD Athlon II X4 655

Table of Contents



Overview:

Comparison between Intel Core i3-4170 and AMD Athlon II X4 655

Intel Core i3-4170 is manufactured by Intel, while AMD Athlon II X4 655 is manufactured by AMD. Intel Core i3-4170 has a higher base speed of 3.7 GHz compared to AMD Athlon II X4 655's 3.3 GHz. Both CPUs have the same turbo speed of GHz. AMD Athlon II X4 655 has more cores (4) compared to Intel Core i3-4170's 2 cores. Both CPUs support the same number of threads (4).

Both CPUs belong to the same class: Desktop. Intel Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150 socket, while AMD Athlon II X4 655 uses the AM2+ socket. Intel Core i3-4170 was launched in Q2 2015, while AMD Athlon II X4 655 was launched in Q1 2014. Intel Core i3-4170 has a larger L3 cache of 3 MB compared to AMD Athlon II X4 655's MB.

Specification Summary

The Intel Core i3-4170 and AMD Athlon II X4 655 are two processors with distinct specifications. Below is a detailed comparison of their key features:

  • Manufacturer: Both processors are manufactured by Intel.
  • Speed: The Intel Core i3-4170 has a base speed of 3.7 GHz, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 runs at 3.3 GHz.
  • Turbo Boost: The Intel Core i3-4170 supports a turbo speed of GHz, compared to GHz for the AMD Athlon II X4 655.
  • Cores: The Intel Core i3-4170 has 2 cores, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 has 4 cores.
  • Threads: The Intel Core i3-4170 supports 4 threads, compared to 4 threads for the AMD Athlon II X4 655.
  • Class: Both processors are designed for Desktop use.
  • Socket: The Intel Core i3-4170 uses the LGA1150, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 uses the AM2+.
  • Launch Date: The Intel Core i3-4170 was launched on Q2 2015, while the AMD Athlon II X4 655 was released on Q1 2014.
  • L3 Cache: The Intel Core i3-4170 has 3 MB of L3 cache, compared to MB for the AMD Athlon II X4 655.

Detailed Specifications:

Specs Intel Core i3-4170 AMD Athlon II X4 655
Intel AMD
Manufacturer Intel AMD
Speed 3.7 GHz 3.3 GHz
Turbo GHz GHz
Cores 2 4
Threads 4 4
Class Desktop Desktop
Socket LGA1150 AM2+
Launched Q2 2015 Q1 2014
L3 Cache 3 MB MB

Review:

Single Core Performance:


CPU Performance in single-threaded applications

Intel Core i3-4170:



34%
AMD Athlon II X4 655:
24%
* More is Better

Multi Core Performance:


CPU Performance in multi-threaded applications

Intel Core i3-4170



5%
AMD Athlon II X4 655:
3%
* More is Better

Power Efficiency:


Power Consumption of CPU under full load

Intel Core i3-4170: 54 watts



13.5%
AMD Athlon II X4 655: 95 watts
23.75%
* Lower is Better

Launched Date:


Time when the CPU was launched


Intel Core i3-4170 : Q2 2015 ✅

AMD Athlon II X4 655 : Q1 2014 ✅

* Newer is Better

CPU Launch FINAL SCORE:

CPU Final Rating Ratings

Intel Core i3-4170



AMD Athlon II X4 655


Pro's and Con's

Intel Core i3-4170 – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Newer Release: The Intel Core i3-4170 was launched more recently (Q2 2015) compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655 (Q1 2014). This means it benefits from the latest advancements in technology, improved efficiency, and potentially better software optimization.
  • Higher Base Clock Speed: The Intel Core i3-4170 has a higher base clock speed of 3.7 GHz compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655's 3.3 GHz. This results in better performance for single-threaded tasks and general responsiveness.
  • Faster Single-Core Performance: With a single-threaded performance score of 2051, the Intel Core i3-4170 outperforms the AMD Athlon II X4 655 (score: 1473). This makes it better suited for tasks that rely on single-core performance, such as gaming or everyday productivity.
  • Larger L3 Cache: The Intel Core i3-4170 features a larger L3 cache of 3MB compared to the AMD Athlon II X4 655's MB. A larger cache improves performance in memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing or 3D rendering, by reducing latency and speeding up data access.

Cons:

  • Fewer Cores: The Intel Core i3-4170 has 2 cores, which is fewer than the AMD Athlon II X4 655's 4 cores. This could impact performance in multi-threaded workloads, such as rendering, compiling code, or running virtual machines.

AMD Athlon II X4 655 – Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Higher CPU Mark Score: The AMD Athlon II X4 655 has a higher CPU Mark score of NA compared to the Intel Core i3-4170's 99.84. This indicates better overall performance across a wide range of tasks.

Cons:

  • Lower Multi-Core Performance: In multi-threaded tasks, the AMD Athlon II X4 655 scores 2078, which is lower than the Intel Core i3-4170's score of 3584. This makes the Intel Core i3-4170 a better choice for heavy multitasking or parallel processing.
  • Higher Power Consumption: The AMD Athlon II X4 655 has a higher TDP of 95W compared to the Intel Core i3-4170's 54W. This means it may consume more power, leading to higher energy costs and potentially more heat generation, which could require better cooling solutions.


Productivity


Intel Core i3-4170
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.

AMD Athlon II X4 655
This cpu Handles Entry Level level office applications, web browsing, and media playback with ease. It can also be used for Entry Level level multitasking or CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.


Gaming

Intel Core i3-4170
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.

AMD Athlon II X4 655
Ideal for Entry Level level gaming (when paired with a dedicated GPU) and Entry Level level computing.



Verdict

Intel Core i3-4170

The Intel Core i3-4170 is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.

AMD Athlon II X4 655

The AMD Athlon II X4 655 is a reliable and Entry Level processor for your PC builds. It delivers excellent value for users with Entry Level computing needs or those building a New PC.