CPU
GPU
Core i3-5010U
Phenom II X4 910e
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 i3-5010U is positioned at rank 521 and the Phenom II X4 910e is on rank 927, so the Core i3-5010U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X4 910e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-5010U | Phenom II X4 910e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Deneb (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-5010U | Phenom II X4 910e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) |
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 i3-5010U and Phenom II X4 910e
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.
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 | — |
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. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. 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 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 0 |
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.
| Feature | Core i3-5010U | Phenom II X4 910e |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 5500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | Desktop |
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