Core i7-2657M vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

Core i7-2657M vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Performance Spectrum

Core i7-2657M

2 / 4

3,491

+0.1%

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

4 / 4

3,489

0.0%

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 i7-2657M vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition 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 i7-2657M vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2657M

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 17W instead of 125W, a 108W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

2009

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,489 vs 3,491).
❌635.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 17W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2657M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2657M better than Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition?

Yes. Core i7-2657M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-2657M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2657M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-2657M still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-2657M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-2657M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-2657M vs Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-2657M

The Core i7-2657M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,491 points. Launch price was $317.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,489 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2657M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M versus 2 GHz on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition — a 29.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2657M. The Core i7-2657M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2657M scores 3,491 against the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition's 3,489 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2657M. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2657M vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition.

Feature	Core i7-2657M	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+35%	2 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	3,491	3,489
Geekbench 6 Single	535	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2657M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2657M	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition
Socket	BGA1023	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2657M) / not specified (Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition). The Core i7-2657M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M.