Not really.
At stocks clocks the Phenom is best compared to the Core Pentium as far as clocks go.
(A phenom 2 x2 @ 2.8 ghz =2.8 ghz on an e5300.
The Sandy Bridge Pentium gives you better performance and lower power consumption.
As an example- a Pentium G850 @ 2.9 ghz gives equivalent or higher performance in Dolphin to a Phenom 2 x4 clocked at 3.8 ghz.
Compared to the newest i5's?
Phenom is nothing.
It is inferior in just about every way.
Except price, and even then only if you AREN'T emulating.
The G850 or i3 2120 would be preferable if you are on a budget.
The i5 2500k is currently the best for Dolphin.
This assumes you are using the money you would've used to buy the Phenom, if you haven't already.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241&Tpk=asrock%20h61%20vs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397
At stocks clocks the Phenom is best compared to the Core Pentium as far as clocks go.
(A phenom 2 x2 @ 2.8 ghz =2.8 ghz on an e5300.
The Sandy Bridge Pentium gives you better performance and lower power consumption.
As an example- a Pentium G850 @ 2.9 ghz gives equivalent or higher performance in Dolphin to a Phenom 2 x4 clocked at 3.8 ghz.
Compared to the newest i5's?
Phenom is nothing.
It is inferior in just about every way.
Except price, and even then only if you AREN'T emulating.
The G850 or i3 2120 would be preferable if you are on a budget.
The i5 2500k is currently the best for Dolphin.
This assumes you are using the money you would've used to buy the Phenom, if you haven't already.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241&Tpk=asrock%20h61%20vs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397