Core i5-4250U vs Phenom II X4 910e

Core i5-4250U vs Phenom II X4 910e Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4250U

2 / 4

2,144

0.0%

2,148

+0.2%

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 i5-4250U vs Phenom II X4 910e 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 i5-4250U vs Phenom II X4 910e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4250U

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5000, while Phenom II X4 910e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,148).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.

Phenom II X4 910e

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $157 MSRP, while Core i5-4250U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4250U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 910e better than Core i5-4250U?

Yes. Phenom II X4 910e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 910e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% 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 910e is the better buy right now. Phenom II X4 910e comes in at an unclear MSRP at $157 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4250U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4250U vs Phenom II X4 910e Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4250U

The Core i5-4250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $430.

Phenom II X4 910e

The Phenom II X4 910e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 2,148 points. Launch price was $157.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4250U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 910e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 910e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-4250U versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 910e — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-4250U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4250U scores 2,144 against the Phenom II X4 910e's 2,148 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X4 910e. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4250U vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core i5-4250U	Phenom II X4 910e
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,144	2,148
Geekbench 6 Single	770	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,450	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4250U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4250U versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X4 910e — the Core i5-4250U supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4250U) vs 0 (Phenom II X4 910e) — the Core i5-4250U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-4250U	Phenom II X4 910e
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4250U) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X4 910e). The Core i5-4250U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5000), while the Phenom II X4 910e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4250U targets Budget, Phenom II X4 910e targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4250U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.