Athlon II X3 435 vs Pentium G2010

AMD

Athlon II X3 435

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2009
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Pentium G2010

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2013
Similar parts
·······

Athlon II X3 435 vs Pentium G2010 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.

Athlon II X3 435 vs Pentium G2010 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.

Athlon II X3 435 vs Pentium G2010: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon II X3 435

2009

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium G2010.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.9 vs 25.6 PassMark/$ ($87 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
  • 72.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 55W.

Pentium G2010

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $23 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
  • Delivers 35.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.6 vs 18.9 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $87 MSRP).
  • Draws 55W instead of 95W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,641 vs 1,645).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Athlon II X3 435.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X3 435 better than Pentium G2010?
Yes. Athlon II X3 435 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Athlon II X3 435 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Athlon II X3 435 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Athlon II X3 435 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Athlon II X3 435 comes in 35.9% more expensive on MSRP at $87 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G2010 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 35.6% better value on paper (25.6 vs 18.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium G2010 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X3 435 vs Pentium G2010 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon II X3 435

The Athlon II X3 435 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,645 points. Launch price was $160.

Intel

Pentium G2010

The Pentium G2010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,641 points. Launch price was $466.

Processing Power

The Athlon II X3 435 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Pentium G2010 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X3 435 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon II X3 435 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G2010 — a 3.5% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 435 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Athlon II X3 435 uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G2010 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 435 scores 1,645 against the Pentium G2010's 1,641 — a 0.2% lead for the Athlon II X3 435. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 435 vs 3072 kB (total) on the Pentium G2010.

FeatureAthlon II X3 435Pentium G2010
Cores / Threads
3 / 3+50%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz+4%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz+4%
2.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Rana (2009−2011)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
1,645
1,641
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X3 435 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G2010 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureAthlon II X3 435Pentium G2010
Socket
AM3
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Athlon II X3 435) / not specified (Pentium G2010).

FeatureAthlon II X3 435Pentium G2010
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X3 435 was priced at $87, while the Pentium G2010 came in at $64. On launch pricing ($87 vs $64), Pentium G2010 was $23 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X3 435 delivers 18.9 pts/$ vs 25.6 pts/$ for the Pentium G2010 — making the Pentium G2010 the 30.2% better value option.

FeatureAthlon II X3 435Pentium G2010
MSRP
$87
$64-26%
Performance per Dollar
18.9
25.6+35%
Release Date
2009
2013

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.