Pentium G3250 vs Phenom II X4 905e

Pentium G3250 vs Phenom II X4 905e Performance Spectrum

Pentium G3250

2 / 2

2,010

0.0%

2,014

+0.2%

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 G3250 vs Phenom II X4 905e 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 G3250 vs Phenom II X4 905e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G3250

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,010 vs 2,014).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $171 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 905e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 905e

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3250 better than Phenom II X4 905e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G3250 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 905e pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Phenom II X4 905e also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 905e 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 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Pentium G3250 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $171 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 905e is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 G3250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G3250 vs Phenom II X4 905e Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G3250

The Pentium G3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,010 points. Launch price was $171.

Phenom II X4 905e

The Phenom II X4 905e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $212.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G3250 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 905e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 905e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3250 versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X4 905e — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Pentium G3250 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Pentium G3250 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 905e uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G3250 scores 2,010 against the Phenom II X4 905e's 2,014 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X4 905e. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3250 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 905e.

Feature	Pentium G3250	Phenom II X4 905e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,010	2,014

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G3250 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 905e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.