Core 2 Solo SU3300 vs Phenom II X3 N850

Core 2 Solo SU3300 vs Phenom II X3 N850 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Solo SU3300

1 / 1

1,247

0.0%

1,253

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

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 Solo SU3300 vs Phenom II X3 N850 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 Solo SU3300 vs Phenom II X3 N850: 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 Solo SU3300

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,247 vs 1,253).
❌Launch MSRP is still $262 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌100% higher power demand at 3W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 N850

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 3W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 N850 better than Core 2 Solo SU3300?

Yes. Phenom II X3 N850 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 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, Phenom II X3 N850 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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 N850 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Phenom II X3 N850 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Phenom II X3 N850 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Solo SU3300 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Phenom II X3 N850 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 3 cores / 3 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Solo SU3300 vs Phenom II X3 N850 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Solo SU3300

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 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 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,247 points. Launch price was $262.

Phenom II X3 N850

The Phenom II X3 N850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,253 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N850 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 N850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N850 — a 58.8% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 N850. The Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3300 scores 1,247 against the Phenom II X3 N850's 1,253 — a 0.5% lead for the Phenom II X3 N850.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3300	Phenom II X3 N850
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	3 / 3+200%
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	2.2 GHz+83%
L2 Cache	3 MB+100%	1.5 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,247	1,253

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 N850 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.