Core i5-4302Y vs Phenom X4 9500

Core i5-4302Y vs Phenom X4 9500 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4302Y

2 / 4

1,580

+1.0%

Pentium D 940

Celeron Dual-Core T1700

Pentium Dual Core T4300

1,564

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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 i5-4302Y vs Phenom X4 9500 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 i5-4302Y vs Phenom X4 9500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4302Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4200, while Phenom X4 9500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom X4 9500

2007

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,564 vs 1,580).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $247 MSRP, while Core i5-4302Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4302Y can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4302Y better than Phenom X4 9500?

Yes. Core i5-4302Y is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4302Y is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% more average FPS across 46 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4302Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-4302Y is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4302Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $247 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom X4 9500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2007 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM2+.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4302Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2007), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), 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 i5-4302Y vs Phenom X4 9500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4302Y

The Core i5-4302Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,580 points. Launch price was $281.

Phenom X4 9500

The Phenom X4 9500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,564 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4302Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X4 9500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-4302Y versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9500 — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-4302Y. The Core i5-4302Y uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom X4 9500 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4302Y scores 1,580 against the Phenom X4 9500's 1,564 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-4302Y. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4302Y vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9500.

Feature	Core i5-4302Y	Phenom X4 9500
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+5%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,580+1%	1,564
Geekbench 6 Single	676	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,086	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4302Y uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom X4 9500 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4302Y	Phenom X4 9500
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i5-4302Y) / not specified (Phenom X4 9500). The Core i5-4302Y includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4200), while the Phenom X4 9500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4302Y targets Productivity.