Pentium E6700 vs Phenom X3 8650

Pentium E6700 vs Phenom X3 8650 Performance Spectrum

Pentium E6700

2 / 2

1,219

+0.1%

1,218

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

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 E6700 vs Phenom X3 8650 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 E6700 vs Phenom X3 8650: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium E6700

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Phenom X3 8650 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom X3 8650

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,218 vs 1,219).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E6700 better than Phenom X3 8650?

Yes. Pentium E6700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium E6700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% 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, Pentium E6700 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?

Pentium E6700 is the better buy right now. Pentium E6700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium E6700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium E6700 vs Phenom X3 8650 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium E6700

The Pentium E6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,219 points. Launch price was $80.

Phenom X3 8650

The Phenom X3 8650 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,218 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Pentium E6700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X3 8650 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8650 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Pentium E6700 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X3 8650 — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Pentium E6700. The Pentium E6700 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom X3 8650 uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium E6700 scores 1,219 against the Phenom X3 8650's 1,218 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium E6700. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium E6700 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8650.

Feature	Pentium E6700	Phenom X3 8650
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+39%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Toliman (2008)
PassMark	1,219	1,218

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium E6700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X3 8650 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.