Core i3-3217U vs Phenom II X2 B55

Core i3-3217U vs Phenom II X2 B55 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-3217U

2 / 4

1,226

+0.3%

1,222

0.0%

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 i3-3217U vs Phenom II X2 B55 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 i3-3217U vs Phenom II X2 B55: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-3217U

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Phenom II X2 B55 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌540% higher power demand at 512W vs 80W.

Phenom II X2 B55

2009

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 512W, a 432W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,222 vs 1,226).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3217U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3217U better than Phenom II X2 B55?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X2 B55 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-3217U pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Phenom II X2 B55 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 i3-3217U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-3217U still makes the most sense overall. Core i3-3217U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

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

Core i3-3217U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 i3-3217U vs Phenom II X2 B55 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-3217U

The Core i3-3217U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,226 points. Launch price was $225.

Phenom II X2 B55

The Phenom II X2 B55 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Callisto (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,222 points. Launch price was $48.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3217U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Phenom II X2 B55's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core i3-3217U versus 3 GHz on the Phenom II X2 B55 — a 50% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 B55 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-3217U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X2 B55 uses Callisto (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3217U scores 1,226 against the Phenom II X2 B55's 1,222 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-3217U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3217U vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X2 B55.

Feature	Core i3-3217U	Phenom II X2 B55
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	3 GHz+67%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Callisto (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,226	1,222

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3217U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X2 B55 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-3217U	Phenom II X2 B55
Socket	BGA1023	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i3-3217U) / not specified (Phenom II X2 B55). The Core i3-3217U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Phenom II X2 B55 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i3-3217U rivals AMD A6-4455M.