Core i7-740QM vs Phenom II X3 B77

Core i7-740QM vs Phenom II X3 B77 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-740QM

4 / 8

1,842

0.0%

1,844

+0.1%

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 i7-740QM vs Phenom II X3 B77 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 i7-740QM vs Phenom II X3 B77: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-740QM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,842 vs 1,844).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.9 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Phenom II X3 B77

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $97 less on MSRP ($281 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.6 vs 4.9 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-740QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 B77 better than Core i7-740QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-740QM is ahead with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 B77 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X3 B77 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Phenom II X3 B77 is the better buy right now. Phenom II X3 B77 comes in $97 cheaper on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-740QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 34.7% better value on MSRP (6.6 vs 4.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Phenom II X3 B77 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i7-740QM vs Phenom II X3 B77 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-740QM

The Core i7-740QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 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: 1,842 points. Launch price was $546.

Phenom II X3 B77

The Phenom II X3 B77 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 1,844 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Phenom II X3 B77 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Core i7-740QM has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-740QM versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B77 — a 8.8% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 B77 (base: 1.73 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-740QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 B77 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-740QM scores 1,842 against the Phenom II X3 B77's 1,844 — a 0.1% lead for the Phenom II X3 B77. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Phenom II X3 B77
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+33%	3 / 3
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz	3.2 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.73 GHz	3.2 GHz+85%
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	1,842	1,844

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X3 B77 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. The Phenom II X3 B77 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-740QM) vs 0 (Phenom II X3 B77) — the Core i7-740QM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-740QM) and AM3 (Phenom II X3 B77).

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Phenom II X3 B77
Socket	PGA988	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	32 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-740QM) / not specified (Phenom II X3 B77). Direct competitor: Core i7-740QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Phenom II X3 B77
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-740QM was priced at $378, while the Phenom II X3 B77 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($378 vs $281), Phenom II X3 B77 was $97 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-740QM delivers 4.9 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 B77 — making the Phenom II X3 B77 the 29.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-740QM	Phenom II X3 B77
MSRP	$378	$281-26%
Performance per Dollar	4.9	6.6+35%
Release Date	2010	2010

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