Core i3-5010U vs Phenom II X4 910e

Core i3-5010U vs Phenom II X4 910e Performance Spectrum

Core i3-5010U

2 / 4

2,157

+0.4%

2,148

0.0%

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 i3-5010U vs Phenom II X4 910e 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 i3-5010U vs Phenom II X4 910e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5010U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5500, while Phenom II X4 910e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Phenom II X4 910e

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,148 vs 2,157).
❌Launch MSRP is still $157 MSRP, while Core i3-5010U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5010U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 910e better than Core i3-5010U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 910e is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5010U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 910e also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5010U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom II X4 910e is the better buy right now. Phenom II X4 910e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $157 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i3-5010U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-5010U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-5010U vs Phenom II X4 910e Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) 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 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

Phenom II X4 910e

The Phenom II X4 910e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,148 points. Launch price was $157.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-5010U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 910e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 910e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 910e — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 910e (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-5010U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5010U scores 2,157 against the Phenom II X4 910e's 2,148 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-5010U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Phenom II X4 910e
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.6 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,157	2,148
Geekbench 6 Single	737	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5010U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5010U versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X4 910e — the Core i3-5010U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-5010U) vs 0 (Phenom II X4 910e) — the Core i3-5010U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Phenom II X4 910e
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X4 910e). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Phenom II X4 910e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop, Phenom II X4 910e targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.