CPU
GPU
Phenom II X3 N830
Core 2 Extreme X7900
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 N830 is positioned at rank 603 and the Core 2 Extreme X7900 is on rank 1162, so the Phenom II X3 N830 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 N830
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme X7900
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X3 N830 | Core 2 Extreme X7900 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X3 N830 | Core 2 Extreme X7900 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 N830 and Core 2 Extreme X7900
Phenom II X3 N830
The Phenom II X3 N830 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,107 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Extreme X7900
The Core 2 Extreme X7900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,115 points. Launch price was $851.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X3 N830 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme X7900 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom II X3 N830 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N830 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X7900 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core 2 Extreme X7900. The Phenom II X3 N830 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme X7900 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 N830 scores 1,107 against the Core 2 Extreme X7900's 1,115 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Extreme X7900.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 N830 | Core 2 Extreme X7900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.8 GHz+33% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 4 MB+167% |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Champlain (2010−2011) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,107 | 1,115 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X3 N830 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Extreme X7900 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 N830 | Core 2 Extreme X7900 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Phenom II X3 N830) / VT-x (Core 2 Extreme X7900). Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme X7900 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Phenom II X3 N830 | Core 2 Extreme X7900 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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