Core 2 Extreme X7800 vs Pentium N3520

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 X7800 vs Pentium N3520 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 X7800 vs Pentium N3520: 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 X7800

2007

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium N3520 across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,138 vs 1,144).
❌100% higher power demand at 4W vs 2W.

Pentium N3520

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 48 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 4W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Core 2 Extreme X7800 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3520 better than Core 2 Extreme X7800?

Yes. Pentium N3520 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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, Pentium N3520 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 48 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3520 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3520 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3520 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $100 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium N3520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 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 X7800 vs Pentium N3520 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Extreme X7800

The Core 2 Extreme X7800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 July 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom XE (2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,138 points. Launch price was $851.

Pentium N3520

The Pentium N3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.17 GHz, with boost up to 2.42 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $161.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Extreme X7800 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3520 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X7800 versus 2.42 GHz on the Pentium N3520 — a 7.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Extreme X7800 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.17 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X7800 uses the Merom XE (2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium N3520 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X7800 scores 1,138 against the Pentium N3520's 1,144 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium N3520. L3 cache: 4 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Extreme X7800 vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3520.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme X7800	Pentium N3520
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+7%	2.42 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+20%	2.17 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB L2 Cache+100%	2 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Merom XE (2007)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,138	1,144

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Extreme X7800 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N3520 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme X7800	Pentium N3520
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	—
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—