CPU
GPU
Core 2 Extreme X7900
E2-3800
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 X7900 is positioned at rank 1162 and the E2-3800 is on rank 1047, so the E2-3800 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 X7900
Performance Per Dollar E2-3800
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | E2-3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kabini (2013−2014) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | E2-3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Extreme X7900 and E2-3800
Core 2 Extreme X7900
The Core 2 Extreme X7900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,115 points. Launch price was $851.
E2-3800
The E2-3800 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FT3. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,136 points. Launch price was $50.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Extreme X7900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the E2-3800 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the E2-3800 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X7900 versus 1.3 GHz on the E2-3800 — a 73.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Extreme X7900. The Core 2 Extreme X7900 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the E2-3800 uses Kabini (2013−2014) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X7900 scores 1,115 against the E2-3800's 1,136 — a 1.9% lead for the E2-3800.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | E2-3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+115% | 1.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2048 kB |
| Process | 65 nm | 28 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Merom (2006−2008) | Kabini (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,115 | 1,136+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 136 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 389 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Extreme X7900 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the E2-3800 uses FT3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Extreme X7900 versus DDR3-1600 on the E2-3800 — the E2-3800 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The E2-3800 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Extreme X7900) vs 1 (E2-3800). PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Extreme X7900) vs 4 (E2-3800) — the E2-3800 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | E2-3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | FT3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1600+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2+100% | 1 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 4 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Extreme X7900) vs Yes (E2-3800). The E2-3800 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8280), while the Core 2 Extreme X7900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme X7900 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X7900 | E2-3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 8280 |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | Yes |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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