CPU
GPU
Core i7-720QM
Phenom II X3 B73
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 i7-720QM is positioned at rank 1218 and the Phenom II X3 B73 is on rank 380, so the Phenom II X3 B73 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-720QM
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 B73
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-720QM | Phenom II X3 B73 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($364) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-720QM | Phenom II X3 B73 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($364) | ✅ 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 i7-720QM and Phenom II X3 B73
Core i7-720QM
The Core i7-720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $546.
Phenom II X3 B73
The Phenom II X3 B73 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,671 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
The Core i7-720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Phenom II X3 B73 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Core i7-720QM has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-720QM versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B73 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-720QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 B73 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-720QM scores 1,658 against the Phenom II X3 B73's 1,671 — a 0.8% lead for the Phenom II X3 B73. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-720QM | Phenom II X3 B73 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+33% | 3 / 3 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+75% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarksfield (2009−2010) | Heka (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,658 | 1,671 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 B73 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-720QM | Phenom II X3 B73 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-720QM) / not specified (Phenom II X3 B73). Direct competitor: Core i7-720QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.
| Feature | Core i7-720QM | Phenom II X3 B73 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| 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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