Core i5-2435M vs Phenom II X4 810

Intel

Core i5-2435M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2011
VS
AMD

Phenom II X4 810

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2009

Core i5-2435M vs Phenom II X4 810 Performance Spectrum

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 i5-2435M vs Phenom II X4 810 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 i5-2435M vs Phenom II X4 810: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2435M

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Phenom II X4 810 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (2,035 vs 2,036).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Phenom II X4 810

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $175 MSRP, while Core i5-2435M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2435M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2435M better than Phenom II X4 810?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2435M is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 810 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 810 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 810 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-2435M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-2435M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $175 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X4 810 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-2435M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2435M vs Phenom II X4 810 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-2435M

The Core i5-2435M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,035 points. Launch price was $225.

AMD

Phenom II X4 810

The Phenom II X4 810 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,036 points. Launch price was $116.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i5-2435M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 810 offers 4 cores / 4 threads β€” the Phenom II X4 810 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-2435M versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 810 β€” a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-2435M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-2435M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 810 uses Deneb (2009βˆ’2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2435M scores 2,035 against the Phenom II X4 810's 2,036 β€” a 0% lead for the Phenom II X4 810. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2435M vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 810.

FeatureCore i5-2435MPhenom II X4 810
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3 GHz+15%
2.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
2.6 GHz+8%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013)
Deneb (2009βˆ’2011)
PassMark
2,035
2,036
Geekbench 6 Single
525
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,025
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2435M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 810 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-2435MPhenom II X4 810
Socket
BGA1023
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2435M) / not specified (Phenom II X4 810). The Core i5-2435M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II X4 810 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2435M targets Legacy Laptop.

FeatureCore i5-2435MPhenom II X4 810
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”
Target Use
Legacy Laptop
β€”