Core i5-650 vs Phenom II X4 925

Core i5-650 vs Phenom II X4 925 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-650

2 / 4

2,254

0.0%

2,261

+0.3%

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 i5-650 vs Phenom II X4 925 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 i5-650 vs Phenom II X4 925: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-650

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 95W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,254 vs 2,261).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $176 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 925 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 925

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌30.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 73W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-650 better than Phenom II X4 925?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-650 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 925 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 925 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 925 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-650 is the better buy right now. Core i5-650 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $176 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 925 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-650 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-650 vs Phenom II X4 925 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-650

The Core i5-650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,254 points. Launch price was $35.

Phenom II X4 925

The Phenom II X4 925 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,261 points. Launch price was $160.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-650 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 925 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 925 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-650 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 925 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-650 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-650 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 925 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-650 scores 2,254 against the Phenom II X4 925's 2,261 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom II X4 925. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-650 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 925.

Feature	Core i5-650	Phenom II X4 925
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+24%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,254	2,261

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-650 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 925 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.