Pentium G2010 vs Phenom II X4 N970

Pentium G2010 vs Phenom II X4 N970 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G2010

2 / 2

1,641

0.0%

1,647

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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 G2010 vs Phenom II X4 N970 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 G2010 vs Phenom II X4 N970: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G2010

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,641 vs 1,647).
❌Launch MSRP is still $64 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 N970 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2650% higher power demand at 55W vs 2W.

Phenom II X4 N970

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 55W, a 53W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G2010 better than Phenom II X4 N970?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G2010 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 N970 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 N970 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G2010 is the better buy right now. Pentium G2010 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $64 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 N970 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium G2010 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G2010 vs Phenom II X4 N970 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G2010

The Pentium G2010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,641 points. Launch price was $466.

Phenom II X4 N970

The Phenom II X4 N970 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,647 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G2010 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 N970 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 N970 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G2010 versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 N970 — a 24% clock advantage for the Pentium G2010. The Pentium G2010 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 N970 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G2010 scores 1,641 against the Phenom II X4 N970's 1,647 — a 0.4% lead for the Phenom II X4 N970.

Feature	Pentium G2010	Phenom II X4 N970
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+27%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3072 kB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,641	1,647

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2010 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 N970 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.