Core i3-350M vs Phenom X3 8250e
Core i3-350M
Phenom X3 8250e
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 i3-350M is positioned at rank 17 and the Phenom X3 8250e is on rank 538, so the Core i3-350M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-350M
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8250e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-350M | Phenom X3 8250e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-350M | Phenom X3 8250e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i3-350M and Phenom X3 8250e
Core i3-350M
The Core i3-350M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 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: 1,088 points. Launch price was $130.
Phenom X3 8250e
The Phenom X3 8250e 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: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,084 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-350M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X3 8250e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8250e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 0.27 GHz on the Core i3-350M versus 1.9 GHz on the Phenom X3 8250e — a 150.2% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8250e. The Core i3-350M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X3 8250e uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-350M scores 1,088 against the Phenom X3 8250e's 1,084 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-350M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-350M vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8250e.
| Feature | Core i3-350M | Phenom X3 8250e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 0.27 GHz | 1.9 GHz+604% |
| Base Clock | 2.26 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 | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Toliman (2008) |
| PassMark | 1,088 | 1,084 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 280 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 650 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-350M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X3 8250e uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-350M | Phenom X3 8250e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-350M) / not specified (Phenom X3 8250e). The Core i3-350M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Phenom X3 8250e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-350M targets Entry Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-350M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core i3-350M | Phenom X3 8250e |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Entry Laptop | — |
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