Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom II X3 B75

Intel

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 1.86 GHz2008
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom II X3 B75

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 3 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom II X3 B75 Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom II X3 B75: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2008

Why buy it

  • Draws 1W instead of 95W, a 94W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,771 vs 1,783).
  • Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 B75 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X3 B75

2009

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • 9400% higher power demand at 95W vs 1W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Phenom II X3 B75 better than Pentium Dual Core T2390?
    Yes. Phenom II X3 B75 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 8 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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, Phenom II X3 B75 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% more average FPS across 8 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 B75 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Phenom II X3 B75 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Phenom II X3 B75 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 8 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Dual Core T2390 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Phenom II X3 B75 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 3 cores / 3 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom II X3 B75 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Pentium Dual Core T2390

    The Pentium Dual Core T2390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 points. Launch price was $69.

    AMD

    Phenom II X3 B75

    The Phenom II X3 B75 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,783 points. Launch price was $149.

    Processing Power

    The Pentium Dual Core T2390 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 B75 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 B75 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 versus 3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B75 — a 46.9% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 B75. The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Phenom II X3 B75 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 scores 1,771 against the Phenom II X3 B75's 1,783 — a 0.7% lead for the Phenom II X3 B75.

    FeaturePentium Dual Core T2390Phenom II X3 B75
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    3 / 3+50%
    Boost Clock
    1.86 GHz
    3 GHz+61%
    Base Clock
    3 GHz
    L3 Cache
    6 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB+100%
    512 kB (per core)
    Process
    65 nm
    45 nm-31%
    Architecture
    NetBurst (2000−2006)
    Heka (2009−2010)
    PassMark
    1,771
    1,783
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 B75 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeaturePentium Dual Core T2390Phenom II X3 B75
    Socket
    PGA478
    AM3
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 2.0+82%