Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X2 N620

Intel

Core i5-4310U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom II X2 N620

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X2 N620 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 i5-4310U vs Phenom II X2 N620 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 i5-4310U vs Phenom II X2 N620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4310U

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X2 N620 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 N620

2010

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (2,503 vs 2,525).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4310U better than Phenom II X2 N620?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X2 N620 is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4310U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4310U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-4310U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4310U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-4310U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4310U vs Phenom II X2 N620 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-4310U

The Core i5-4310U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,525 points. Launch price was $281.

AMD

Phenom II X2 N620

The Phenom II X2 N620 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,503 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i5-4310U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Phenom II X2 N620's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i5-4310U versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X2 N620 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-4310U. The Core i5-4310U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X2 N620 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4310U scores 2,525 against the Phenom II X2 N620's 2,503 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-4310U.

FeatureCore i5-4310UPhenom II X2 N620
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3 GHz+7%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB
2 MB+300%
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark
2,525
2,503
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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4310U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X2 N620 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-4310UPhenom II X2 N620
Socket
FCBGA1168
S1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0