CPU
GPU
Phenom II X4 N950
Core i3-3250
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 X4 N950 is positioned at rank 180 and the Core i3-3250 is on rank 846, so the Phenom II X4 N950 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 X4 N950
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3250
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X4 N950 | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X4 N950 | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
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 X4 N950 and Core i3-3250
Phenom II X4 N950
The Phenom II X4 N950 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: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,485 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i3-3250
The Core i3-3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $138.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X4 N950 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-3250 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 N950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Phenom II X4 N950 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 — a 50% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250. The Phenom II X4 N950 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3250 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X4 N950 scores 2,485 against the Core i3-3250's 2,460 — a 1% lead for the Phenom II X4 N950.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 N950 | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.5 GHz+67% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Champlain (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,485+1% | 2,460 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X4 N950 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3250 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 N950 | Core i3-3250 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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