Core i5-750 vs Phenom II X4 B97

Core i5-750 vs Phenom II X4 B97 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-750

4 / 4

2,546

+0.2%

2,540

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 i5-750 vs Phenom II X4 B97 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 i5-750 vs Phenom II X4 B97: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-750

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X4 B97.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 25.4 PassMark/$ ($210 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).

Phenom II X4 B97

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $210 MSRP).
✅Delivers 109.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $210 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,540 vs 2,546).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-750.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-750 better than Phenom II X4 B97?

Yes. Core i5-750 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-750 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-750 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-750 comes in 110.0% more expensive on MSRP at $210 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X4 B97 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 109.5% better value on paper (25.4 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

Phenom II X4 B97 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 i5-750 vs Phenom II X4 B97 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-750

The Core i5-750 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,546 points. Launch price was $150.

Phenom II X4 B97

The Phenom II X4 B97 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 2,540 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-750 and Phenom II X4 B97 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-750 versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B97 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-750 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X4 B97 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-750 scores 2,546 against the Phenom II X4 B97's 2,540 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-750. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-750 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B97.

Feature	Core i5-750	Phenom II X4 B97
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	3.2 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,546	2,540
Geekbench 6 Single	424	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-750 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X4 B97 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-750	Phenom II X4 B97
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 i5-750) / not specified (Phenom II X4 B97). Primary use case: Core i5-750 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-750 rivals Phenom II X4 965.

Feature	Core i5-750	Phenom II X4 B97
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-750 was priced at $210, while the Phenom II X4 B97 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($210 vs $100), Phenom II X4 B97 was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-750 delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 25.4 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 B97 — making the Phenom II X4 B97 the 70.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-750	Phenom II X4 B97
MSRP	$210	$100-52%
Performance per Dollar	12.1	25.4+110%
Release Date	2009	2010

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