Core i3-3217U vs Phenom II X2 B55
Core i3-3217U
Phenom II X2 B55
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 i3-3217U is positioned at rank 684 and the Phenom II X2 B55 is on rank 492, so the Phenom II X2 B55 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3217U
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X2 B55
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3217U | Phenom II X2 B55 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Callisto (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3217U | Phenom II X2 B55 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-3217U and Phenom II X2 B55
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 | ❌ | — |
| 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.
| Feature | Core i3-3217U | Phenom II X2 B55 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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