Core i7-3517U vs Phenom II X4 820

Core i7-3517U vs Phenom II X4 820 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3517U

2 / 4

2,108

0.0%

2,114

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

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 i7-3517U vs Phenom II X4 820 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 i7-3517U vs Phenom II X4 820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3517U

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Phenom II X4 820 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,108 vs 2,114).
❌438.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 95W.

Phenom II X4 820

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 95W instead of 512W, a 417W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core i7-3517U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3517U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 820 better than Core i7-3517U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3517U is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 820 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom II X4 820 is the better buy right now. Phenom II X4 820 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3517U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3517U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3517U vs Phenom II X4 820 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3517U

The Core i7-3517U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,108 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X4 820

The Phenom II X4 820 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,114 points. Launch price was $90.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3517U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 820 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 820 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-3517U versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 820 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517U (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-3517U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517U scores 2,108 against the Phenom II X4 820's 2,114 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom II X4 820. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3517U	Phenom II X4 820
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2.8 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,108	2,114

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3517U	Phenom II X4 820
Socket	BGA1023	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-3517U) / not specified (Phenom II X4 820). The Core i7-3517U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Phenom II X4 820 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3517U rivals AMD A10-4655M.