Core i3-2105 vs Phenom II X3 B77

CPU

GPU

Core i3-2105

2 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2011

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Phenom II X3 B77

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010

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Core i3-2105 vs Phenom II X3 B77 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-2105

2 / 4

1,837

0.0%

1,844

+0.4%

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 i3-2105 vs Phenom II X3 B77 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 i3-2105 vs Phenom II X3 B77: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-2105

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $143 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 102.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.3 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $281 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 HD Graphics 3000, while Phenom II X3 B77 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,837 vs 1,844).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).

Phenom II X3 B77

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 13.3 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-2105 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 B77 better than Core i3-2105?

Yes. Phenom II X3 B77 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X3 B77 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% 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, Phenom II X3 B77 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Phenom II X3 B77 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Phenom II X3 B77 comes in 103.6% more expensive on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-2105 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 102.9% better value on paper (13.3 vs 6.6 PassMark/$), 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?

Core i3-2105 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-2105 vs Phenom II X3 B77 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-2105

The Core i3-2105 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 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: 1,837 points. Launch price was $145.

Phenom II X3 B77

The Phenom II X3 B77 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 1,844 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-2105 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 B77 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 B77 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2105 versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B77 — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 B77 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-2105 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X3 B77 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2105 scores 1,837 against the Phenom II X3 B77's 1,844 — a 0.4% lead for the Phenom II X3 B77. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2105 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 B77.

Feature	Core i3-2105	Phenom II X3 B77
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
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	1,837	1,844

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2105 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 B77 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2105) vs 0 (Phenom II X3 B77) — the Core i3-2105 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-2105	Phenom II X3 B77
Socket	LGA1155	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-2105) / not specified (Phenom II X3 B77). The Core i3-2105 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II X3 B77 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2105 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i3-2105	Phenom II X3 B77
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-2105 was priced at $138, while the Phenom II X3 B77 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($138 vs $281), Core i3-2105 was $143 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2105 delivers 13.3 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 B77 — making the Core i3-2105 the 67.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-2105	Phenom II X3 B77
MSRP	$138-51%	$281
Performance per Dollar	13.3+102%	6.6
Release Date	2011	2010

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