CPU
GPU
Core i3-2310M
Phenom X3 8650
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 i3-2310M is positioned at rank 1032 and the Phenom X3 8650 is on rank 496, so the Phenom X3 8650 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2310M
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2310M | Phenom X3 8650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2310M | Phenom X3 8650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-2310M and Phenom X3 8650
Core i3-2310M
The Core i3-2310M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,222 points. Launch price was $225.
Phenom X3 8650
The Phenom X3 8650 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,218 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2310M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X3 8650 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8650 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-2310M versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X3 8650 — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8650. The Core i3-2310M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X3 8650 uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2310M scores 1,222 against the Phenom X3 8650's 1,218 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-2310M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2310M vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8650.
| Feature | Core i3-2310M | Phenom X3 8650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.3 GHz+10% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Toliman (2008) |
| PassMark | 1,222 | 1,218 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 658 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2310M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X3 8650 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2310M | Phenom X3 8650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-2310M) / not specified (Phenom X3 8650). The Core i3-2310M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom X3 8650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2310M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-2310M rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.
| Feature | Core i3-2310M | Phenom X3 8650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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