CPU
GPU
Core i7-3520M
Turion 64 X2 TL-56
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 i7-3520M is positioned at rank 1127 and the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is on rank 139, so the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3520M
Performance Per Dollar Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3520M | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Trinidad / Tyler (2007) / 90/65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3520M | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($346) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-3520M and Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Core i7-3520M
The Core i7-3520M 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,842 points. Launch price was $346.
Turion 64 X2 TL-56
The Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Trinidad / Tyler (2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90/65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,835 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3520M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Turion 64 X2 TL-56's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-3520M versus 1.8 GHz on the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3520M. The Core i7-3520M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 uses Trinidad / Tyler (2007) (90/65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3520M scores 2,842 against the Turion 64 X2 TL-56's 2,835 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3520M.
| Feature | Core i7-3520M | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+100% | 1.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.9 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm-76% | 90/65 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Trinidad / Tyler (2007) |
| PassMark | 2,842 | 2,835 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-3520M | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-3520M) / not specified (Turion 64 X2 TL-56). The Core i7-3520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3520M rivals AMD A10-5750M.
| Feature | Core i7-3520M | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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