Phenom II X3 705e vs Core i3-530
Phenom II X3 705e
Core i3-530
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 705e is positioned at rank 423 and the Core i3-530 is on rank 933, so the Phenom II X3 705e 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 705e
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-530
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X3 705e | Core i3-530 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X3 705e | Core i3-530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+359%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) | ✅ 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 705e and Core i3-530
Phenom II X3 705e
The Phenom II X3 705e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,519 points. Launch price was $152.
Core i3-530
The Core i3-530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,516 points. Launch price was $60.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X3 705e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i3-530 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X3 705e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Phenom II X3 705e versus 0.93 GHz on the Core i3-530 — a 91.5% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 705e (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Phenom II X3 705e uses the Heka (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-530 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 705e scores 1,519 against the Core i3-530's 1,516 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X3 705e. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 705e vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-530.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 705e | Core i3-530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+169% | 0.93 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.93 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Heka (2009−2010) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,519 | 1,516 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X3 705e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-530 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 705e | Core i3-530 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($69 vs $15), the Core i3-530 is $54 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom II X3 705e delivers 22.0 pts/$ vs 101.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-530 — making the Core i3-530 the 128.5% better value option.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 705e | Core i3-530 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $113 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $69 | $15-78% |
| Performance per Dollar | 22.0 | 101.1+360% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2010 |
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