Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom X4 9650

Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom X4 9650 Performance Spectrum

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2 / 2

1,771

0.0%

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

1,777

+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.

Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom X4 9650 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.

Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Phenom X4 9650: 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 1,777).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Phenom X4 9650 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom X4 9650

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom X4 9650 better than Pentium Dual Core T2390?

Yes. Phenom X4 9650 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 X4 9650 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% more average FPS across 9 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom X4 9650 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom X4 9650 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Phenom X4 9650 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Dual Core T2390 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 X4 9650 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 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 X4 9650 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Phenom X4 9650

The Phenom X4 9650 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,777 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X4 9650 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X4 9650 — a 21.2% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9650. The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Phenom X4 9650 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 scores 1,771 against the Phenom X4 9650's 1,777 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom X4 9650.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Phenom X4 9650
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.3 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	—	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,771	1,777

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X4 9650 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.