
Core i3-2100T vs Phenom II X3 705e

Core i3-2100T

Phenom II X3 705e
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Core i3-2100T is positioned at rank 962 and the Phenom II X3 705e is on rank 423, so the Phenom II X3 705e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2100T
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 705e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2100T | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($127) | ✅ More affordable ($69) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2100T | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+83%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($127) | ✅ More affordable ($69) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2100T and Phenom II X3 705e

Core i3-2100T
The Core i3-2100T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,531 points. Launch price was $180.

Phenom II X3 705e
The Phenom II X3 705e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,519 points. Launch price was $152.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2100T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 705e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 705e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-2100T versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X3 705e — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-2100T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X3 705e uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2100T scores 1,531 against the Phenom II X3 705e's 1,519 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-2100T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100T vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 705e.
| Feature | Core i3-2100T | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 6 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Heka (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,531 | 1,519 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2100T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 705e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2100T | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($127 vs $69), the Phenom II X3 705e is $58 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2100T delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 22.0 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 705e — making the Phenom II X3 705e the 58.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2100T | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $127 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $127 | $69-46% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.1 | 22.0+82% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2009 |
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