CPU
GPU
Core 2 Extreme X7800
Phenom II X2 B53
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 Core 2 Extreme X7800 is positioned at rank 1145 and the Phenom II X2 B53 is on rank 1038, so the Phenom II X2 B53 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme X7800
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X2 B53
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X7800 | Phenom II X2 B53 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Merom XE (2007) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Callisto (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X7800 | Phenom II X2 B53 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Extreme X7800 and Phenom II X2 B53
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.
Phenom II X2 B53
The Phenom II X2 B53 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 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): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,137 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Extreme X7800 and Phenom II X2 B53 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X7800 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X2 B53 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 B53 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X7800 uses the Merom XE (2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Phenom II X2 B53 uses Callisto (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X7800 scores 1,138 against the Phenom II X2 B53's 1,137 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Extreme X7800. L3 cache: 4 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Extreme X7800 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X2 B53.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7800 | Phenom II X2 B53 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+700% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Merom XE (2007) | Callisto (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,138 | 1,137 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 300 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 550 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Extreme X7800 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X2 B53 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Extreme X7800 versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X2 B53 — the Phenom II X2 B53 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Phenom II X2 B53 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Extreme X7800) vs 0 (Phenom II X2 B53) — the Core 2 Extreme X7800 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Socket P (Core 2 Extreme X7800) and AM3,AM2+ (Phenom II X2 B53).
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7800 | Phenom II X2 B53 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1333+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Extreme X7800) vs Yes (Phenom II X2 B53).
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7800 | Phenom II X2 B53 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | Yes |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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