Core i3-530 vs Phenom X4 9750B
Core i3-530
Phenom X4 9750B
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 X4 9750B is on rank 1047, so the Core i3-530 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 X4 9750B
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Phenom X4 9750B |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($34) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-530 | Phenom X4 9750B |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+126%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($34) |
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 X4 9750B
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 X4 9750B
The Phenom X4 9750B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,520 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i3-530 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X4 9750B offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9750B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Core i3-530 versus 2.4 GHz on the Phenom X4 9750B — a 88.3% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9750B. The Core i3-530 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X4 9750B uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-530 scores 1,516 against the Phenom X4 9750B's 1,520 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom X4 9750B. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-530 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9750B.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom X4 9750B |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 0.93 GHz | 2.4 GHz+158% |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Agena (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,516 | 1,520 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 300 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-530 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X4 9750B uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom X4 9750B |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR2-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-530) / AMD-V (Phenom X4 9750B). Primary use case: Phenom X4 9750B targets Legacy Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom X4 9750B |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-530 launched at $113 MSRP, while the Phenom X4 9750B debuted at $215. At current prices ($15 vs $34), the Core i3-530 is $19 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-530 delivers 101.1 pts/$ vs 44.7 pts/$ for the Phenom X4 9750B — making the Core i3-530 the 77.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-530 | Phenom X4 9750B |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $113-47% | $215 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-56% | $34 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.1+126% | 44.7 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2008 |
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 X4 9750B
