Core i5-2390T vs Phenom II X4 N950

Core i5-2390T vs Phenom II X4 N950 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-2390T

2 / 4

2,491

+0.2%

2,485

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 i5-2390T vs Phenom II X4 N950 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 i5-2390T vs Phenom II X4 N950: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2390T

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while Phenom II X4 N950 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X4 N950.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X4 N950 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 N950 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1650% higher power demand at 35W vs 2W.

Phenom II X4 N950

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,485 vs 2,491).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2390T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2390T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2390T better than Phenom II X4 N950?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 N950 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2390T pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2390T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2390T is the better buy right now. Core i5-2390T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $182 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 N950 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-2390T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 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 i5-2390T vs Phenom II X4 N950 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2390T

The Core i5-2390T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,491 points. Launch price was $100.

Phenom II X4 N950

The Phenom II X4 N950 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,485 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2390T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 N950 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 N950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-2390T versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom II X4 N950 — a 50% clock advantage for the Core i5-2390T. The Core i5-2390T uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 N950 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2390T scores 2,491 against the Phenom II X4 N950's 2,485 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-2390T.

Feature	Core i5-2390T	Phenom II X4 N950
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,491	2,485
Geekbench 6 Single	614	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2390T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 N950 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2390T	Phenom II X4 N950
Socket	LGA1155	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2390T) / not specified (Phenom II X4 N950). The Core i5-2390T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Phenom II X4 N950 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2390T targets Legacy Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2390T rivals A8-3800.