Core i3-6320 vs Phenom II X3 P840

Core i3-6320 vs Phenom II X3 P840 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-6320

2 / 4

4,421

0.0%

4,425

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i3-6320 vs Phenom II X3 P840 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 i3-6320 vs Phenom II X3 P840: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-6320

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Phenom II X3 P840 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X3 P840.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,421 vs 4,425).
❌Launch MSRP is still $160 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 P840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3300% higher power demand at 51W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 P840

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 51W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-6320 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-6320.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6320 better than Phenom II X3 P840?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-6320 is ahead with a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 P840 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 P840 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Core i3-6320 is the better buy right now. Core i3-6320 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $160 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Phenom II X3 P840 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-6320 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6320 vs Phenom II X3 P840 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-6320

The Core i3-6320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,421 points. Launch price was $157.

Phenom II X3 P840

The Phenom II X3 P840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,425 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-6320 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 P840 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 P840 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-6320 versus 1.9 GHz on the Phenom II X3 P840 — a 69% clock advantage for the Core i3-6320. The Core i3-6320 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X3 P840 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6320 scores 4,421 against the Phenom II X3 P840's 4,425 — a 0.1% lead for the Phenom II X3 P840.

Feature	Core i3-6320	Phenom II X3 P840
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+105%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+16967%	1.5 MB
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,421	4,425
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,853	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,311	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,730	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6320 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 P840 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6320	Phenom II X3 P840
Socket	LGA1151	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-6320) / not specified (Phenom II X3 P840). The Core i3-6320 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Phenom II X3 P840 requires a dedicated GPU.