Pentium Dual Core T2370 vs Phenom II X3 720

Pentium Dual Core T2370 vs Phenom II X3 720 Performance Spectrum

Pentium Dual Core T2370

2 / 2

1,601

+0.1%

1,600

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

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.

Pentium Dual Core T2370 vs Phenom II X3 720 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.

Pentium Dual Core T2370 vs Phenom II X3 720: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Dual Core T2370

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 95W, a 94W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.7 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $130 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X3 720.

Phenom II X3 720

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($130 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.3 vs 10.7 PassMark/$ ($130 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike Pentium Dual Core T2370.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,600 vs 1,601).
❌9400% higher power demand at 95W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 720 better than Pentium Dual Core T2370?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X3 720 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T2370 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, Pentium Dual Core T2370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Phenom II X3 720 is the better buy right now. Phenom II X3 720 comes in $20 cheaper on MSRP at $130 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Dual Core T2370 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 15.3% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 10.7 PassMark/$), 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 720 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Dual Core T2370 vs Phenom II X3 720 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Dual Core T2370

The Pentium Dual Core T2370 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.73 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,601 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X3 720

The Phenom II X3 720 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 January 2010 (15 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: 1,600 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Dual Core T2370 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 720 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 720 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.73 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2370 versus 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 720 — a 47.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 720. The Pentium Dual Core T2370 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses Heka (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2370 scores 1,601 against the Phenom II X3 720's 1,600 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T2370.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2370	Phenom II X3 720
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	1.73 GHz	2.8 GHz+62%
Base Clock	—	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	—	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Heka (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,601	1,600
Geekbench 6 Single	—	380
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	980

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T2370 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 720 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Pentium Dual Core T2370 versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X3 720 — the Phenom II X3 720 supports 99.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Phenom II X3 720 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Pentium Dual Core T2370) vs 16 (Phenom II X3 720) — the Phenom II X3 720 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2370	Phenom II X3 720
Socket	PGA478	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR3-1333+100%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	16 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Phenom II X3 720 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: No VT-x (Pentium Dual Core T2370) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X3 720). Primary use case: Pentium Dual Core T2370 targets Mobile, Phenom II X3 720 targets Legacy Desktop.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2370	Phenom II X3 720
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	No VT-x	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile	Legacy Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual Core T2370 was priced at $150, while the Phenom II X3 720 came in at $130. On launch pricing ($150 vs $130), Phenom II X3 720 was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual Core T2370 delivers 10.7 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Phenom II X3 720 — making the Phenom II X3 720 the 14.2% better value option.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2370	Phenom II X3 720
MSRP	$150	$130-13%
Performance per Dollar	10.7	12.3+15%
Release Date	2008	2010

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