Core i5-2510E vs V-Series V120

Core i5-2510E vs V-Series V120 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-2510E

2 / 4

1,884

+0.5%

1,874

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 i5-2510E vs V-Series V120 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 i5-2510E vs V-Series V120: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2510E

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while V-Series V120 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than V-Series V120 across 20 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $230 MSRP, while V-Series V120 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

V-Series V120

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 20 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,874 vs 1,884).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2510E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2510E better than V-Series V120?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, V-Series V120 is ahead with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 20 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2510E pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2510E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2510E is the better buy right now. Core i5-2510E comes in at an unclear MSRP at $230 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that V-Series V120 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 20 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-2510E 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 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2510E vs V-Series V120 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2510E

The Core i5-2510E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,884 points. Launch price was $266.

V-Series V120

The V-Series V120 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,874 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2510E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the V-Series V120 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Core i5-2510E has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2510E versus 2.2 GHz on the V-Series V120 — a 34% clock advantage for the Core i5-2510E. The Core i5-2510E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the V-Series V120 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2510E scores 1,884 against the V-Series V120's 1,874 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-2510E.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	V-Series V120
Cores / Threads	2 / 4+100%	1 / 1
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+41%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,884	1,874
Geekbench 6 Single	527	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2510E uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the V-Series V120 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2510E	V-Series V120
Socket	PGA988	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2510E) / not specified (V-Series V120). The Core i5-2510E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the V-Series V120 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2510E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-2510E rivals Embedded R-Series.