Performance comparison: which is faster?
AMD FX-4300 (AMD, 2012) and AMD Phenom II X4 980 (AMD, 2010) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: FX-4300 is about 11.1% faster
The sockets differ (AM3+ / AM3), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | FX-4300 | Phenom II X4 980 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 5,000 | 4,500 |
| Generation | FX | Phenom II |
| Socket | AM3+ | AM3 |
| Release Year | 2012 | 2010 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Intel Arc A380 6GB | Radeon RX 6400 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | FX-4300 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | Phenom II X4 980 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
FX-4300 is about 11.1% higher by score (FX-4300: 5000 points / Phenom II X4 980: 4500 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
FX-4300 is FX, while Phenom II X4 980 is Phenom II.The sockets differ (AM3+ / AM3), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Intel Arc A380 6GB pairs well with FX-4300 and Radeon RX 6400 pairs well with Phenom II X4 980. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
