Phenom II X3 720 vs VIA Nano QuadCore L4700

Phenom II X3 720 vs VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 Performance Spectrum

Phenom II X3 720

3 / 3

1,600

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

VIA Nano QuadCore L4700

4 / 4

1,615

+0.9%

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 720 vs VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 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 720 vs VIA Nano QuadCore L4700: 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 720

2010

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Included), unlike VIA Nano QuadCore L4700.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,600 vs 1,615).
❌Launch MSRP is still $130 MSRP, while VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌239.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 28W.

VIA Nano QuadCore L4700

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 95W, a 67W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X3 720.

Quick Answers

So, is VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 better than Phenom II X3 720?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X3 720 is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 is still the much better call for a fresh build. VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $130 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Phenom II X3 720 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Phenom II X3 720 vs VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 Technical Specifications

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

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.

VIA Nano QuadCore L4700

The VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 is manufactured by TSMC. It was released in 12 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the CNQ (2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.47 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: NanoBGA2. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,615 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 720 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 720 versus 1.47 GHz on the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 — a 62.3% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 720 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Phenom II X3 720 uses the Heka (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 uses CNQ (2011) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 720 scores 1,600 against the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700's 1,615 — a 0.9% lead for the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700.

Feature	Phenom II X3 720	VIA Nano QuadCore L4700
Cores / Threads	3 / 3	4 / 4+33%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+90%	1.47 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+133%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+100%
Process	45 nm	40 nm-11%
Architecture	Heka (2009−2010)	CNQ (2011)
PassMark	1,600	1,615
Geekbench 6 Single	380	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	980	—

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Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 720 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the VIA Nano QuadCore L4700 uses NanoBGA2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Phenom II X3 720	VIA Nano QuadCore L4700
Socket	AM3	NanoBGA2
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Phenom II X3 720) / not specified (VIA Nano QuadCore L4700). Primary use case: Phenom II X3 720 targets Legacy Desktop.