Pentium G870 vs Phenom X4 9500

Pentium G870 vs Phenom X4 9500 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G870

2 / 2

1,562

0.0%

1,564

+0.1%

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 G870 vs Phenom X4 9500 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 G870 vs Phenom X4 9500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G870

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $161 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $247 MSRP).
✅Delivers 186.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.2 vs 6.3 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $247 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,562 vs 1,564).

Phenom X4 9500

2007

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.3 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($247 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G870 better than Phenom X4 9500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G870 is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom X4 9500 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Pentium G870 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom X4 9500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium G870 is the better buy right now. Pentium G870 comes in $161 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $247 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom X4 9500 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 186.8% better value on MSRP (18.2 vs 6.3 PassMark/$), 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 G870 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2007) and 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G870 vs Phenom X4 9500 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium G870

The Pentium G870 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,562 points. Launch price was $97.

Phenom X4 9500

The Phenom X4 9500 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: 2.2 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: 1,564 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Pentium G870 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X4 9500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G870 versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9500 — a 34% clock advantage for the Pentium G870. The Pentium G870 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X4 9500 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G870 scores 1,562 against the Phenom X4 9500's 1,564 — a 0.1% lead for the Phenom X4 9500. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G870 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9500.

Feature	Pentium G870	Phenom X4 9500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+41%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,562	1,564

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium G870 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X4 9500 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium G870	Phenom X4 9500
Socket	LGA1155	AM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G870 was priced at $86, while the Phenom X4 9500 came in at $247. On launch pricing ($86 vs $247), Pentium G870 was $161 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G870 delivers 18.2 pts/$ vs 6.3 pts/$ for the Phenom X4 9500 — making the Pentium G870 the 96.6% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G870	Phenom X4 9500
MSRP	$86-65%	$247
Performance per Dollar	18.2+189%	6.3
Release Date	2012	2007

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