Pentium SU2700 vs Phenom X3 8600

Pentium SU2700 vs Phenom X3 8600 Performance Spectrum

Pentium SU2700

1 / 1

1,268

+0.1%

Celeron N3000

Pentium T3400

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

1,267

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 SU2700 vs Phenom X3 8600 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 SU2700 vs Phenom X3 8600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium SU2700

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 10W instead of 95W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Phenom X3 8600

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,267 vs 1,268).
❌850% higher power demand at 95W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium SU2700 better than Phenom X3 8600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X3 8600 is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium SU2700 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 SU2700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Pentium SU2700 is the better buy right now. Pentium SU2700 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $100 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom X3 8600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 0.1% better value on MSRP (12.7 vs 12.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium SU2700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium SU2700 vs Phenom X3 8600 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium SU2700

The Pentium SU2700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,268 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom X3 8600

The Phenom X3 8600 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: 1,267 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium SU2700 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Phenom X3 8600 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Pentium SU2700 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X3 8600 — a 55.6% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8600. The Pentium SU2700 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom X3 8600 uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium SU2700 scores 1,268 against the Phenom X3 8600's 1,267 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium SU2700. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Pentium SU2700 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8600.

Feature	Pentium SU2700	Phenom X3 8600
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	3 / 3+200%
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	2.3 GHz+77%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Toliman (2008)
PassMark	1,268	1,267

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium SU2700 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X3 8600 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium SU2700	Phenom X3 8600
Socket	BGA956	AM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium SU2700 was priced at $100, while the Phenom X3 8600 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($100 vs $100), Phenom X3 8600 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium SU2700 delivers 12.7 pts/$ vs 12.7 pts/$ for the Phenom X3 8600 — making the Pentium SU2700 the 0.1% better value option.

Feature	Pentium SU2700	Phenom X3 8600
MSRP	$100	$100
Performance per Dollar	12.7	12.7
Release Date	2009	2008

Search Pentium SU2700 on Amazon

Search Phenom X3 8600 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.