Phenom II X3 B73 vs Core 2 Duo T5500
Phenom II X3 B73
Core 2 Duo T5500
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 B73 is positioned at rank 380 and the Core 2 Duo T5500 is on rank 386, so the Phenom II X3 B73 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 B73
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X3 B73 | Core 2 Duo T5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Heka (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X3 B73 | Core 2 Duo T5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 B73 and Core 2 Duo T5500
Phenom II X3 B73
The Phenom II X3 B73 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2009 (16 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: 1,671 points. Launch price was $75.
Core 2 Duo T5500
The Core 2 Duo T5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.66 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,660 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X3 B73 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T5500 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom II X3 B73 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Phenom II X3 B73 versus 1.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5500 — a 51.1% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 B73 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.66 GHz). The Phenom II X3 B73 uses the Heka (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5500 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 B73 scores 1,671 against the Core 2 Duo T5500's 1,660 — a 0.7% lead for the Phenom II X3 B73. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X3 B73 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T5500.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 B73 | Core 2 Duo T5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+69% | 1.66 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+69% | 1.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Heka (2009−2010) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,671 | 1,660 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X3 B73 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5500 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 B73 | Core 2 Duo T5500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
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 B73 and Core 2 Duo T5500
