Core i7-3820 vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3820

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012

Similar parts

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Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2010

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Core i7-3820 vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3820

4 / 8

5,787

+0.7%

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 / 6

5,745

0.0%

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 i7-3820 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 i7-3820 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 i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
7.9% HIGHER MSRP
$286 MSRPvs$265 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $21 less on MSRP ($265 MSRP vs $286 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3820.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3820 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,745 vs 5,787).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3820 better than Phenom II X6 1100T BE?

Yes. Core i7-3820 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 i7-3820 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.2% 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 i7-3820 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-3820 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-3820 comes in 7.9% more expensive on MSRP at $286 MSRP versus $265 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X6 1100T BE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 7.1% better value on paper (21.7 vs 20.2 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3820 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010), 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3820 vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

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 i7-3820 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 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 versus 3.7 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820 scores 5,787 against the Phenom II X6 1100T BE's 5,745 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-3820. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 624 vs 508, a 20.5% lead for the Core i7-3820 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	10240 kB (total)+67%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Thuban (2010)
PassMark	5,787	5,745
Geekbench 6 Single	624+23%	508

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3820 versus DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066 on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — the Core i7-3820 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-3820 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-3820) vs 2 (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-3820) vs 16 (Phenom II X6 1100T BE) — the Core i7-3820 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X79 (Core i7-3820) and AMD 870,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Phenom II X6 1100T BE).

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Socket	LGA2011	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop, Phenom II X6 1100T BE targets Enthusiast Legacy. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	HEDT Desktop	Enthusiast Legacy

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3820 was priced at $286, while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE came in at $265. On launch pricing ($286 vs $265), Phenom II X6 1100T BE was $21 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3820 delivers 20.2 pts/$ vs 21.7 pts/$ for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — making the Phenom II X6 1100T BE the 6.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
MSRP	$286	$265-7%
Performance per Dollar	20.2	21.7+7%
Release Date	2012	2010

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