Phenom II X3 N870 vs Core i3-5010U

Phenom II X3 N870

3 Cores3 Thrd1.5 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2010

Core i3-5010U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Phenom II X3 N870

3 / 3

2,145

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-5010U

2 / 4

2,157

+0.6%

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 X3 N870 is positioned at rank 250 and the Core i3-5010U is on rank 521, so the Phenom II X3 N870 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 N870

#238

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

410%

#239

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

404%

#240

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

371%

#241

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

370%

#242

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

366%

#244

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

354%

#245

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

339%

#246

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

338%

#247

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

329%

#250

Phenom II X3 N870

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#509

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#510

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#511

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#512

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

612%

#513

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#515

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#516

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#517

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#518

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#521

Core i3-5010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Phenom II X3 N870 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-5010U is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Phenom II X3 N870	Core i3-5010U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Phenom II X3 N870	Core i3-5010U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Phenom II X3 N870 Benchmark Check

Core i3-5010U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X3 N870 and Core i3-5010U

Phenom II X3 N870

The Phenom II X3 N870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,145 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 N870 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i3-5010U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X3 N870 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N870 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U — a 9.1% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 N870. The Phenom II X3 N870 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-5010U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 N870 scores 2,145 against the Core i3-5010U's 2,157 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-5010U.

Feature	Phenom II X3 N870	Core i3-5010U
Cores / Threads	3 / 3+50%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+10%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.5 MB+500%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Champlain (2010−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,145	2,157
Geekbench 6 Single	—	737

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 N870 uses the S1g4 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-5010U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Phenom II X3 N870	Core i3-5010U
Socket	S1g4	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Phenom II X3 N870) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Phenom II X3 N870 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.