Core i5-450M vs Phenom II X3 N850

Core i5-450M vs Phenom II X3 N850 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-450M

2 / 4

1,264

+0.9%

Celeron N3000

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

1,253

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

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 i5-450M vs Phenom II X3 N850 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 i5-450M vs Phenom II X3 N850: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-450M

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 18 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Phenom II X3 N850 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $32 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2233.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 N850

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 35W, a 34W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-450M across 18 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,253 vs 1,264).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-450M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-450M better than Phenom II X3 N850?

Yes. Core i5-450M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 18 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-450M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 18 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-450M 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 i5-450M is the better buy right now. Core i5-450M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $32 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 18 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (39.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Phenom II X3 N850 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-450M vs Phenom II X3 N850 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-450M

The Core i5-450M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 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: 1,264 points. Launch price was $32.

Phenom II X3 N850

The Phenom II X3 N850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,253 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N850 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 N850 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N850 — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M. The Core i5-450M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-450M scores 1,264 against the Phenom II X3 N850's 1,253 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-450M.

Feature	Core i5-450M	Phenom II X3 N850
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	2.66 GHz+21%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+16967%	1.5 MB
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,264	1,253

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-450M	Phenom II X3 N850
Socket	PGA988	S1g4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-450M) / not specified (Phenom II X3 N850). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Phenom II X3 N850 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.