Core i3-2102 vs Phenom II X4 810

CPU

GPU

Core i3-2102

2 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011

Similar parts

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Phenom II X4 810

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2009

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Core i3-2102 vs Phenom II X4 810 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-2102

2 / 4

2,029

0.0%

Xeon W3503

Core i3-4010Y

Pentium 4415Y

Core 2 Extreme QX9300

2,036

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-2102 vs Phenom II X4 810 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.

Core i3-2102 vs Phenom II X4 810: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2102

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $58 less on MSRP ($117 MSRP vs $175 MSRP).
✅Delivers 49.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.3 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($117 MSRP vs $175 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Phenom II X4 810 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,029 vs 2,036).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Phenom II X4 810

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.6 vs 17.3 PassMark/$ ($175 MSRP vs $117 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2102 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-2102.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-2102 better than Phenom II X4 810?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-2102 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 810 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 810 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 810 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-2102 is the better buy right now. Core i3-2102 comes in $58 cheaper on MSRP at $117 MSRP versus $175 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 810 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 49.1% better value on MSRP (17.3 vs 11.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-2102 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-2102 vs Phenom II X4 810 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2102

The Core i3-2102 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,029 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X4 810

The Phenom II X4 810 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). 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: 2,036 points. Launch price was $116.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-2102 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 810 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 810 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2102 versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 810 — a 17.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2102 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-2102 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 810 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2102 scores 2,029 against the Phenom II X4 810's 2,036 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom II X4 810. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2102 vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 810.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Phenom II X4 810
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+19%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,029	2,036
Geekbench 6 Single	515	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,082	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2102 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 810 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Phenom II X4 810
Socket	LGA1155	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-2102) / not specified (Phenom II X4 810). The Core i3-2102 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Phenom II X4 810 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2102 targets Office Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Phenom II X4 810
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Office Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-2102 was priced at $117, while the Phenom II X4 810 came in at $175. On launch pricing ($117 vs $175), Core i3-2102 was $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2102 delivers 17.3 pts/$ vs 11.6 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 810 — making the Core i3-2102 the 39.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-2102	Phenom II X4 810
MSRP	$117-33%	$175
Performance per Dollar	17.3+49%	11.6
Release Date	2011	2009

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