Phenom II X3 720 vs Core i5-2557M
Phenom II X3 720
Core i5-2557M
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 720 is positioned at rank 957 and the Core i5-2557M is on rank 36, so the Core i5-2557M 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 720
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X3 720 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($64) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X3 720 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($64) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 720 and Core i5-2557M
Phenom II X3 720
The Phenom II X3 720 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Heka (2009−2010) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,600 points. Launch price was $75.
Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X3 720 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i5-2557M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X3 720 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 720 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 720 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Phenom II X3 720 uses the Heka (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 720 scores 1,600 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-2557M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 380 vs 521, a 31.3% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 980 vs 882 (10.5% advantage for the Phenom II X3 720). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 720 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 720 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+4% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+65% | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Heka (2009−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,600 | 1,618+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 380 | 521+37% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 980+11% | 882 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X3 720 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Phenom II X3 720 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AM3,AM2+ (Phenom II X3 720) and HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M).
| Feature | Phenom II X3 720 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Phenom II X3 720 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Phenom II X3 720) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). The Core i5-2557M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom II X3 720 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Phenom II X3 720 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 720 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Budget |
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