If you can get a modern low noise sensor then with the same size sensor the lower number of pixels (but larger ones) will give better results with low noise.

It depends on how you define better results and perhaps we define them differently.
It would seem to me that if you have a lower number of pixels, they would be larger anyway since they are still in the same size "frame" according to the ratio of the sensor.
Even if what you say provides lower noise, that has to be balanced against less detail and lower resolution due to fewer pixels.

In a 3 mp camera your characterized "better results" are according to Pop Photo Labs below that of 35 mm, whereas 5.7mp and higher cameras are above 35mm in sharpness and resolution quality on an 8 X 10 print.

Ronnoco