Core m3-7Y30 vs Phenom II X4 850

Intel

Core m3-7Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2016
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom II X4 850

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011
Similar parts
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Core m3-7Y30 vs Phenom II X4 850 Performance Spectrum

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 m3-7Y30 vs Phenom II X4 850 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 m3-7Y30 vs Phenom II X4 850: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

  • Draws 5W instead of 95W, a 91W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Phenom II X4 850 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X4 850 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,418 vs 2,441).
  • Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 850 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 850

2011

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • 2011.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 4.5W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core m3-7Y30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 850 better than Core m3-7Y30?
Yes. Phenom II X4 850 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% 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 850 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.5% 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 850 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Phenom II X4 850 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Phenom II X4 850 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m3-7Y30 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 6.5% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core m3-7Y30 vs Phenom II X4 850 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

AMD

Phenom II X4 850

The Phenom II X4 850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. 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: 2,441 points. Launch price was $111.

Processing Power

The Core m3-7Y30 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X4 850 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 versus 3.3 GHz on the Phenom II X4 850 — a 23.7% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 850 (base: 1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core m3-7Y30 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Phenom II X4 850 uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core m3-7Y30 scores 2,418 against the Phenom II X4 850's 2,441 — a 0.9% lead for the Phenom II X4 850. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30 vs 0 kB on the Phenom II X4 850.

FeatureCore m3-7Y30Phenom II X4 850
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
3.3 GHz+27%
Base Clock
1 GHz
3.3 GHz+230%
L3 Cache
4 MB
0 kB
L2 Cache
512 kB
512 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
Propus (2009−2011)
PassMark
2,418
2,441
Cinebench R23 Multi
645
Geekbench 6 Single
768
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,481
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Memory & Platform

The Core m3-7Y30 uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 850 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore m3-7Y30Phenom II X4 850
Socket
FCBGA1515
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
10
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30) / not specified (Phenom II X4 850). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Phenom II X4 850 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.

FeatureCore m3-7Y30Phenom II X4 850
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 615
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x / VT-d / EPT
Target Use
Ultra-portable