Core i3-530 vs Phenom II X3 705e
Core i3-530
Phenom II X3 705e
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 i3-530 is positioned at rank 933 and the Phenom II X3 705e is on rank 423, so the Phenom II X3 705e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-530
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 705e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+359%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) |
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 i3-530 and Phenom II X3 705e
Core i3-530
The Core i3-530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,516 points. Launch price was $60.
Phenom II X3 705e
The Phenom II X3 705e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,519 points. Launch price was $152.
Processing Power
The Core i3-530 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 705e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 705e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Core i3-530 versus 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X3 705e — a 91.5% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 705e (base: 2.93 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-530 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X3 705e uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-530 scores 1,516 against the Phenom II X3 705e's 1,519 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X3 705e. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-530 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 705e.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 3 / 3+50% |
| Boost Clock | 0.93 GHz | 2.5 GHz+169% |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz+17% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Heka (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,516 | 1,519 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-530 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 705e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($15 vs $69), the Core i3-530 is $54 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-530 delivers 101.1 pts/$ vs 22.0 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 705e — making the Core i3-530 the 128.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom II X3 705e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $113 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-78% | $69 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.1+360% | 22.0 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2009 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-530 and Phenom II X3 705e
