Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs Phenom II X3 720

Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs Phenom II X3 720 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo SU9400

2 / 2

1,596

0.0%

1,600

+0.3%

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.

Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs Phenom II X3 720 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.

Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs Phenom II X3 720: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo SU9400

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 95W, a 92W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,596 vs 1,600).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X3 720.

Phenom II X3 720

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Core 2 Duo SU9400.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $130 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SU9400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3066.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 720 better than Core 2 Duo SU9400?

Yes. Phenom II X3 720 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X3 720 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 720 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Phenom II X3 720 is the better buy right now. Phenom II X3 720 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $130 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Phenom II X3 720 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008), 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 3 cores / 3 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs Phenom II X3 720 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo SU9400

The Core 2 Duo SU9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,596 points. Launch price was $262.

Phenom II X3 720

The Phenom II X3 720 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,600 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SU9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 720 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 720 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 720 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 720 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9400 scores 1,596 against the Phenom II X3 720's 1,600 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom II X3 720. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 720.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9400	Phenom II X3 720
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,596	1,600
Geekbench 6 Single	—	380
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	980

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9400	Phenom II X3 720
Socket	BGA956	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo SU9400) / AMD-V (Phenom II X3 720). Primary use case: Phenom II X3 720 targets Legacy Desktop.