Core m3-6Y30 vs Phenom II X4 920

Core m3-6Y30 vs Phenom II X4 920 Performance Spectrum

Core m3-6Y30

2 / 4

2,180

0.0%

2,202

+1.0%

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 m3-6Y30 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 m3-6Y30 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 m3-6Y30

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,180 vs 2,202).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 920 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌309.6% higher power demand at 512W vs 125W.

Phenom II X4 920

2009

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 125W instead of 512W, a 387W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 920 better than Core m3-6Y30?

Yes. Phenom II X4 920 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X4 920 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.3% 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, Phenom II X4 920 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Phenom II X4 920 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Phenom II X4 920 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-6Y30 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 0.3% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core m3-6Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core m3-6Y30 vs Phenom II X4 920 Technical Specifications

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

Core m3-6Y30

The Core m3-6Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $281.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core m3-6Y30 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 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X4 920 — a 24% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 920 (base: 0.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core m3-6Y30 uses the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X4 920 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core m3-6Y30 scores 2,180 against the Phenom II X4 920's 2,202 — a 1% lead for the Phenom II X4 920. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core m3-6Y30 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 920.

Feature	Core m3-6Y30	Phenom II X4 920
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
Base Clock	0.9 GHz	2.8 GHz+211%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake-Y (2015)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,180	2,202+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core m3-6Y30 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 920 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.