Core i5-450M vs Phenom X3 8600
Core i5-450M
Phenom X3 8600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-450M is positioned at rank 10 and the Phenom X3 8600 is on rank 947, so the Core i5-450M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-450M
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-450M | Phenom X3 8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($31) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-450M | Phenom X3 8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+55%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($31) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-450M and Phenom X3 8600
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 X3 8600
The Phenom X3 8600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 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: 1,267 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-450M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X3 8600 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8600 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X3 8600 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M. The Core i5-450M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X3 8600 uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-450M scores 1,264 against the Phenom X3 8600's 1,267 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom X3 8600. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8600.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Phenom X3 8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.66 GHz+16% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Toliman (2008) |
| PassMark | 1,264 | 1,267 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-450M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X3 8600 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Phenom X3 8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-450M) / not specified (Phenom X3 8600). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Phenom X3 8600 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Phenom X3 8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-450M launched at $32 MSRP, while the Phenom X3 8600 debuted at $100. At current prices ($31 vs $20), the Phenom X3 8600 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-450M delivers 40.8 pts/$ vs 63.4 pts/$ for the Phenom X3 8600 — making the Phenom X3 8600 the 43.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-450M | Phenom X3 8600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32-68% | $100 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $31 | $20-35% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.8 | 63.4+55% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2008 |
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