Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition vs Xeon X5698

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition vs Xeon X5698 Performance Spectrum

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

4 / 4

3,489

+1.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon X5698

2 / 4

3,447

0.0%

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.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition vs Xeon X5698 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.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition vs Xeon X5698: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5698 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5698

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,447 vs 3,489).

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition better than Xeon X5698?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5698 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition still makes the most sense overall. Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark.

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

Xeon X5698 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition vs Xeon X5698 Technical Specifications

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

Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition

The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 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: 3,489 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon X5698

The Xeon X5698 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,447 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5698 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon X5698 — a 75% clock advantage for the Xeon X5698. The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon X5698 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition scores 3,489 against the Xeon X5698's 3,447 — a 1.2% lead for the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5698.

Feature	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition	Xeon X5698
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz	4.4 GHz+120%
Base Clock	—	4.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Deneb (2009−2011)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,489+1%	3,447

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5698 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition	Xeon X5698
Socket	AM3	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5698). Primary use case: Xeon X5698 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5698 rivals Core i7-980X.