Core i3-5015U vs Phenom II X4 905e

Core i3-5015U vs Phenom II X4 905e Performance Spectrum

Core i3-5015U

2 / 4

1,990

0.0%

Celeron N3350

Celeron G1610T

Core i5-4202Y

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2,014

+1.2%

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 i3-5015U vs Phenom II X4 905e 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 i3-5015U vs Phenom II X4 905e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-5015U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5500, while Phenom II X4 905e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,990 vs 2,014).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Phenom II X4 905e

2009

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5015U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 905e better than Core i3-5015U?

Yes. Phenom II X4 905e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X4 905e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 905e is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Phenom II X4 905e still makes the most sense overall. Phenom II X4 905e comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-5015U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-5015U vs Phenom II X4 905e Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-5015U

The Core i3-5015U 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: 1,990 points. Launch price was $275.

Phenom II X4 905e

The Phenom II X4 905e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 2,014 points. Launch price was $212.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-5015U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 905e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 905e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5015U versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X4 905e — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 905e (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-5015U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X4 905e uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5015U scores 1,990 against the Phenom II X4 905e's 2,014 — a 1.2% lead for the Phenom II X4 905e. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5015U vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 905e.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Phenom II X4 905e
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+19%
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	1,990	2,014+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5015U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 905e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5015U	Phenom II X4 905e
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5015U) / not specified (Phenom II X4 905e). The Core i3-5015U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Phenom II X4 905e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5015U targets Mobile.