Core i5-3210M vs Phenom II X4 840

Core i5-3210M vs Phenom II X4 840 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3210M

2 / 4

2,469

+0.8%

2,449

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 i5-3210M vs Phenom II X4 840 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 i5-3210M vs Phenom II X4 840: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3210M

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Phenom II X4 840 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom II X4 840

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,449 vs 2,469).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3210M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3210M better than Phenom II X4 840?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 840 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3210M pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3210M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3210M is the better buy right now. Core i5-3210M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 840 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3210M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) 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 i5-3210M vs Phenom II X4 840 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) 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 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Phenom II X4 840

The Phenom II X4 840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. 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: 2,449 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3210M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 840 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 840 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 840 — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 840 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-3210M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 840 uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the Phenom II X4 840's 2,449 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-3210M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M vs 0 kB on the Phenom II X4 840.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Phenom II X4 840
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Propus (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,469	2,449
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3210M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 840 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Phenom II X4 840
Socket	BGA1023	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
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 (Core i5-3210M) / not specified (Phenom II X4 840). The Core i5-3210M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Phenom II X4 840 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.