Core i5-670 vs Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)

Core i5-670 vs Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) Performance Spectrum

Core i5-670

2 / 4

2,553

+0.4%

Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)

4 / 4

2,544

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 i5-670 vs Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) 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 i5-670 vs Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W): Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-670

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 125W, a 52W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)

2009

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,544 vs 2,553).
❌71.2% higher power demand at 125W vs 73W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-670 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-670.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-670 better than Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)?

Yes. Core i5-670 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-670 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-670 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?

Core i5-670 is the better buy right now. Core i5-670 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $284 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-670 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-670 vs Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-670

The Core i5-670 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 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 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: 2,553 points. Launch price was $252.

Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)

The Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,544 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-670 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Core i5-670 versus 3.4 GHz on the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) — a 9.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-670 (base: 3.46 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-670 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-670 scores 2,553 against the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)'s 2,544 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-670. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-670 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W).

Feature	Core i5-670	Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.73 GHz+10%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.46 GHz+2%	3.4 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	2,553	2,544
Geekbench 6 Single	638	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-670 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-670	Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)
Socket	LGA1156	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-670) / not specified (Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W)). The Core i5-670 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-670 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-670 rivals Phenom II X4 955.