Core i3-380M vs Phenom X3 8450e

Core i3-380M vs Phenom X3 8450e Performance Spectrum

Core i3-380M

2 / 4

1,212

+0.5%

1,206

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

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 i3-380M vs Phenom X3 8450e 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 i3-380M vs Phenom X3 8450e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-380M

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1), while Phenom X3 8450e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $49 MSRP, while Phenom X3 8450e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom X3 8450e

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,206 vs 1,212).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-380M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-380M better than Phenom X3 8450e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X3 8450e is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-380M pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-380M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-380M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i3-380M is the better buy right now. Core i3-380M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $49 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom X3 8450e is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (24.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-380M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-380M vs Phenom X3 8450e Technical Specifications

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

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 8450e

The Phenom X3 8450e 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): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,206 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-380M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X3 8450e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8450e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X3 8450e — a 119.4% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8450e. The Core i3-380M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X3 8450e uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-380M scores 1,212 against the Phenom X3 8450e's 1,206 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-380M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8450e.

Feature	Core i3-380M	Phenom X3 8450e
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	1,206
Geekbench 6 Single	450	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,100	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-380M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X3 8450e uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-380M	Phenom X3 8450e
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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-380M) / not specified (Phenom X3 8450e). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Phenom X3 8450e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.