Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom II X3 700e

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom II X3 700e Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Solo SU3500

1 / 1

1,468

+1.2%

1,451

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

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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 SU3500 vs Phenom II X3 700e 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 SU3500 vs Phenom II X3 700e: 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 SU3500

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).

Phenom II X3 700e

2009

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $137 less on MSRP ($125 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Delivers 107.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.6 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,451 vs 1,468).
❌2066.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Solo SU3500 better than Phenom II X3 700e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X3 700e is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 48 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3500 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Phenom II X3 700e also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Solo SU3500 comes in 109.6% more expensive on MSRP at $262 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. Phenom II X3 700e only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 107.2% better value on paper (11.6 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

Phenom II X3 700e is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom II X3 700e Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,468 points. Launch price was $262.

Phenom II X3 700e

The Phenom II X3 700e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,451 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Phenom II X3 700e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 700e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 2.4 GHz on the Phenom II X3 700e — a 52.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 700e (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 700e uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Phenom II X3 700e's 1,451 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3500. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 700e.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom II X3 700e
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	3 / 3+200%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	2.4 GHz+71%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+85%
L3 Cache	3 MB	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,468+1%	1,451
Geekbench 6 Single	—	250
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	650

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 700e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom II X3 700e
Socket	BGA956	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Solo SU3500) / AMD-V (Phenom II X3 700e). Primary use case: Phenom II X3 700e targets Legacy Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom II X3 700e
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Legacy Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 was priced at $262, while the Phenom II X3 700e came in at $125. On launch pricing ($262 vs $125), Phenom II X3 700e was $137 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 11.6 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 700e — making the Phenom II X3 700e the 69.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom II X3 700e
MSRP	$262	$125-52%
Performance per Dollar	5.6	11.6+107%
Release Date	2009	2009

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