
Core i7-2657M

Phenom II X6 1075T
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 i7-2657M is positioned at rank 268 and the Phenom II X6 1075T is on rank 145, so the Phenom II X6 1075T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2657M
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X6 1075T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2657M | Phenom II X6 1075T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($245) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Thuban (2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2657M | Phenom II X6 1075T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($245) |
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 i7-2657M and Phenom II X6 1075T

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 X6 1075T
The Phenom II X6 1075T is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,500 points. Launch price was $260.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2657M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X6 1075T offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Phenom II X6 1075T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M versus 3.5 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1075T — a 25.8% clock advantage for the Phenom II X6 1075T (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-2657M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1075T uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2657M scores 3,491 against the Phenom II X6 1075T's 3,500 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom II X6 1075T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 535 vs 679, a 23.7% lead for the Phenom II X6 1075T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2657M vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1075T.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Phenom II X6 1075T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 6 / 6+200% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.5 GHz+30% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3 GHz+87% |
| 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) | Thuban (2010) |
| PassMark | 3,491 | 3,500 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,896 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 535 | 679+27% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,960 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2657M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X6 1075T uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Phenom II X6 1075T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67,UM67 (Core i7-2657M) and 880G,890GX,890FX,970,990FX (Phenom II X6 1075T).
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Phenom II X6 1075T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Phenom II X6 1075T has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2657M) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1075T). The Core i7-2657M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II X6 1075T requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook, Phenom II X6 1075T targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M; Phenom II X6 1075T rivals Core i5-750.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Phenom II X6 1075T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | Gaming |
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