Phenom II X3 700e vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

AMD

Phenom II X3 700e

3 Cores3 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Phenom II X3 700e vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Performance Spectrum

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 X3 700e vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 X3 700e vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D: 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 X3 700e

2009

Why buy it

  • Costs $324 less on MSRP ($125 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 32 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Geekbench multi-core (650 vs 15,000).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.6 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($125 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM3, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +712.2% higher average FPS across 32 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Delivers 558.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $125 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of AM3 and older memory support.
  • 75% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core), while Phenom II X3 700e needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • 259.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $449 MSRPvs$125 MSRP
  • 84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Phenom II X3 700e?
Yes. Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 712.2% average FPS lead across 32 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2207.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 2263.4% higher 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, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 712.2% more average FPS across 32 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 96 MB versus 6 MB.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 2207.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1500% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in 259.2% more expensive on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $125 MSRP, and it still gives you a 712.2% average FPS lead across 32 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 558.0% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 11.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2009), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of AM3, 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 6 MB, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 3/3. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Phenom II X3 700e vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D Technical Specifications

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

AMD

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 700e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Phenom II X3 700e versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 70.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 2.4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Phenom II X3 700e uses the Heka (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 700e scores 1,451 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 183.8% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 250 vs 2,700, a 166.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 650 vs 15,000 (183.4% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 700e vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeaturePhenom II X3 700eRyzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
3 / 3
8 / 16+167%
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
5 GHz+108%
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
4.4 GHz+83%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
96 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
1 MB (per core)+100%
Process
45 nm
5 nm-89%
Architecture
Heka (2009−2010)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
1,451
34,293+2263%
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
250
2,700+980%
Geekbench 6 Multi
650
15,000+2208%
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Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 700e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X3 700e versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 290.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Phenom II X3 700e) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM3,AM2+ (Phenom II X3 700e) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeaturePhenom II X3 700eRyzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
AM3
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR5-5200+290%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
128 GB+700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
28+75%
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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Phenom II X3 700e requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Phenom II X3 700e targets Legacy Desktop, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeaturePhenom II X3 700eRyzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V
AMD-V
Target Use
Legacy Desktop
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Phenom II X3 700e was priced at $125, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($125 vs $449), Phenom II X3 700e was $324 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom II X3 700e delivers 11.6 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 147.2% better value option.

FeaturePhenom II X3 700eRyzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$125-72%
$449
Performance per Dollar
11.6
76.4+559%
Release Date
2009
2023

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