Phenom II X3 700e vs Core 2 Solo SU3500
Phenom II X3 700e
Core 2 Solo SU3500
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Phenom II X3 700e is positioned at rank 972 and the Core 2 Solo SU3500 is on rank 1195, so the Phenom II X3 700e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 700e
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Solo SU3500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X3 700e | Core 2 Solo SU3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X3 700e | Core 2 Solo SU3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+170%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X3 700e and Core 2 Solo SU3500
Phenom II X3 700e
The Phenom II X3 700e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,451 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Solo SU3500
The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2009 (16 years ago). 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 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,468 points. Launch price was $262.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X3 700e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core 2 Solo SU3500 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Phenom II X3 700e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Phenom II X3 700e versus 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 — a 52.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 700e (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Phenom II X3 700e uses the Heka (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 700e scores 1,451 against the Core 2 Solo SU3500's 1,468 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3500. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 700e vs 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 700e | Core 2 Solo SU3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+200% | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz+71% | 1.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+85% | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+100% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 3 MB+500% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Heka (2009−2010) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,451 | 1,468+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 250 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 650 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X3 700e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 700e | Core 2 Solo SU3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Phenom II X3 700e) / not specified (Core 2 Solo SU3500). Primary use case: Phenom II X3 700e targets Legacy Desktop.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 700e | Core 2 Solo SU3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Phenom II X3 700e launched at $125 MSRP, while the Core 2 Solo SU3500 debuted at $262. At current prices ($40 vs $15), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom II X3 700e delivers 36.3 pts/$ vs 97.9 pts/$ for the Core 2 Solo SU3500 — making the Core 2 Solo SU3500 the 91.8% better value option.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 700e | Core 2 Solo SU3500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $125-52% | $262 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $15-63% |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.3 | 97.9+170% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2009 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Phenom II X3 700e and Core 2 Solo SU3500
