Phenom II X2 545 vs Core i3-2328M
Phenom II X2 545
Core i3-2328M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Phenom II X2 545 is positioned at rank 490 and the Core i3-2328M is on rank 76, so the Core i3-2328M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X2 545
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2328M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X2 545 | Core i3-2328M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Callisto (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X2 545 | Core i3-2328M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X2 545 and Core i3-2328M
Phenom II X2 545
The Phenom II X2 545 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (per core). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,233 points. Launch price was $50.
Core i3-2328M
The Core i3-2328M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,234 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X2 545 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-2328M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Phenom II X2 545 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-2328M — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 545 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Phenom II X2 545 uses the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-2328M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X2 545 scores 1,233 against the Core i3-2328M's 1,234 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-2328M. L3 cache: 6 MB (per core) on the Phenom II X2 545 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2328M.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 545 | Core i3-2328M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+36% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+36% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (per core)+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Callisto (2009−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,233 | 1,234 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 329 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X2 545 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-2328M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 545 | Core i3-2328M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Phenom II X2 545) / VT-x, EPT (Core i3-2328M). The Core i3-2328M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II X2 545 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2328M targets Budget Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-2328M rivals Pentium B980.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 545 | Core i3-2328M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Budget Laptop |
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