Core i7-3555LE vs Phenom II X4 920

Core i7-3555LE vs Phenom II X4 920 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3555LE

2 / 4

2,238

+1.6%

2,202

0.0%

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 i7-3555LE vs Phenom II X4 920 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 i7-3555LE vs Phenom II X4 920: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3555LE

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 25W instead of 125W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 920 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 920

2009

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,202 vs 2,238).
❌400% higher power demand at 125W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3555LE better than Phenom II X4 920?

Yes. Core i7-3555LE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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 i7-3555LE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 i7-3555LE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-3555LE is the better buy right now. Core i7-3555LE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3555LE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 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 i7-3555LE vs Phenom II X4 920 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3555LE

The Core i7-3555LE 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X4 920

The Phenom II X4 920 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 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: 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: 2,202 points. Launch price was $90.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3555LE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 920 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 920 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 920 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-3555LE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-3555LE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X4 920 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3555LE scores 2,238 against the Phenom II X4 920's 2,202 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i7-3555LE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3555LE vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 920.

Feature	Core i7-3555LE	Phenom II X4 920
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,238+2%	2,202

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3555LE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 920 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.