Core 2 Extreme X6800 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core 2 Extreme X6800

2 Cores2 Thrd75 WWMax: 0.93 GHz2006
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core 2 Extreme X6800 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

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 Extreme X6800 vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Extreme X6800 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: 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 Extreme X6800

2006

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (1,118 vs 22,430).
    • 15.4% higher power demand at 75W vs 65W.

    Ryzen 7 3700X

    2019

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +792.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Draws 65W instead of 75W, a 10W reduction.
    • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • Launch MSRP is still $329 MSRP, while Core 2 Extreme X6800 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core 2 Extreme X6800?
    Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 792.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1906.3% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 792.7% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1906.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $329 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 792.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 Extreme X6800 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core 2 Extreme X6800

    The Core 2 Extreme X6800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Conroe XE (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.933 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 75 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,118 points. Launch price was $999.

    AMD

    Ryzen 7 3700X

    The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

    Processing Power

    The Core 2 Extreme X6800 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 3700X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X6800 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 130.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2.933 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X6800 uses the Conroe XE (2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X6800 scores 1,118 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 181% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme X6800 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

    FeatureCore 2 Extreme X6800Ryzen 7 3700X
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    8 / 16+300%
    Boost Clock
    0.93 GHz
    4.4 GHz+373%
    Base Clock
    2.933 GHz
    3.6 GHz+23%
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    32 MB
    L2 Cache
    4 MB (total)
    512K (per core)+12700%
    Process
    65 nm
    7 nm, 12 nm-89%
    Architecture
    Conroe XE (2006)
    Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
    PassMark
    1,118
    22,430+1906%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core 2 Extreme X6800 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore 2 Extreme X6800Ryzen 7 3700X
    Socket
    LGA775
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 4.0+264%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    24