Core i3-380M vs Phenom X3 8450
Core i3-380M
Phenom X3 8450
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 i3-380M is positioned at rank 11 and the Phenom X3 8450 is on rank 1023, so the Core i3-380M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-380M
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8450
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-380M | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($147) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-380M | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+484%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($147) |
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 i3-380M and Phenom X3 8450
Core i3-380M
The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 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: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.
Phenom X3 8450
The Phenom X3 8450 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: 2.1 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: 1,221 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-380M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X3 8450 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8450 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X3 8450 — a 119.4% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8450. The Core i3-380M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X3 8450 uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-380M scores 1,212 against the Phenom X3 8450's 1,221 — a 0.7% lead for the Phenom X3 8450. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8450.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 0.53 GHz | 2.1 GHz+296% |
| Base Clock | 2.53 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 | 1,212 | 1,221 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 450 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,100 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-380M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X3 8450 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Core i3-380M) / not specified (Phenom X3 8450). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Phenom X3 8450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-380M launched at $49 MSRP, while the Phenom X3 8450 debuted at $145. At current prices ($25 vs $147), the Core i3-380M is $122 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-380M delivers 48.5 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the Phenom X3 8450 — making the Core i3-380M the 141.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-380M | Phenom X3 8450 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $49-66% | $145 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-83% | $147 |
| Performance per Dollar | 48.5+484% | 8.3 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2008 |
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