Core i7-3740QM vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Core i7-3740QM vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3740QM

4 / 8

5,710

0.0%

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 / 6

5,745

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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 i7-3740QM vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE 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 i7-3740QM vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3740QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 125W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,710 vs 5,745).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3740QM.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3740QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $265 MSRP, while Core i7-3740QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌177.8% higher power demand at 125W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3740QM better than Phenom II X6 1100T BE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3740QM is ahead with a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X6 1100T BE pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X6 1100T BE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.

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

Core i7-3740QM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3740QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $265 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X6 1100T BE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

Core i7-3740QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3740QM vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3740QM

The Core i7-3740QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,710 points. Launch price was $378.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

The Phenom II X6 1100T BE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 5,745 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Phenom II X6 1100T BE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3740QM versus 3.7 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3740QM scores 5,710 against the Phenom II X6 1100T BE's 5,745 — a 0.6% lead for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3740QM	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Thuban (2010)
PassMark	5,710	5,745
Geekbench 6 Single	—	508

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3740QM	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Socket	PGA988	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3740QM) / AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). Primary use case: Phenom II X6 1100T BE targets Enthusiast Legacy.