Core i5-520UM vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE

Core i5-520UM vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE Performance Spectrum

Core i5-520UM

2 / 4

1,943

+0.4%

1,935

0.0%

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 i5-520UM vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE 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 i5-520UM vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-520UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Phenom II X4 X920 BE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X4 X920 BE across 21 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌800% higher power demand at 18W vs 2W.

Phenom II X4 X920 BE

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 21 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 18W, a 16W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,935 vs 1,943).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-520UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 X920 BE better than Core i5-520UM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 X920 BE is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-520UM pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-520UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom II X4 X920 BE still makes the most sense overall. Phenom II X4 X920 BE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Phenom II X4 X920 BE is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-520UM vs Phenom II X4 X920 BE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-520UM

The Core i5-520UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.07 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,943 points. Launch price was $241.

Phenom II X4 X920 BE

The Phenom II X4 X920 BE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 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: 1,935 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-520UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 X920 BE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Core i5-520UM versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X4 X920 BE — a 20.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 X920 BE. The Core i5-520UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-520UM scores 1,943 against the Phenom II X4 X920 BE's 1,935 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-520UM.

Feature	Core i5-520UM	Phenom II X4 X920 BE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.87 GHz	2.3 GHz+23%
Base Clock	1.07 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,943	1,935

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-520UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-520UM	Phenom II X4 X920 BE
Socket	BGA1288	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	800	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-520UM) / not specified (Phenom II X4 X920 BE). The Core i5-520UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Phenom II X4 X920 BE requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-520UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.